Title: A Waltz with Traitors Author: A.L. Sowards Publisher: Covenant Communications Release Date: March 14h, 2023 Genre: Historical Fiction
Czech soldier Filip Sedlák never wanted to fight for the Austro-Hungarian Empire. So at the first opportunity, he defected to the Russians. Now he and others like him have formed the Czechoslovak Legion. Their goal: leave the chaos of Russia, sail to France, and help the Allies defeat the Central Powers, thereby toppling a hated empire and winning an independent Czechoslovakia.
With the fall of the tsar, Nadia Linskaya’s life is in ruins. Her family is dead, her lands are confiscated, and her aristocratic world is gone forever. But Nadia is determined to elude the Bolshevik agent who destroyed her family and find a way to survive in this changed world.
When Nadia takes refuge with the Czechoslovak Legion, the last thing she expects is an ally. But when Filip proposes a sham marriage to ensure her safe passage across Siberia, she takes it. Neither Filip nor Nadia expect real love, not when the legion has to take over the longest railroad in the world—and then hold it against Bolshevik counterattacks, partisan sabotage, allied intrigue, and a set of brutal Siberian winters. At risk is the future of Czechoslovakia, the fate of Russia—and their hearts.
Book Review:
Wow, this was a stunning book! A Waltz with Traitors is written by A.L. Sowards and it is a historical fiction. I have to admit that it took me a little while to get into this book, but it was worth the effort.
The characters were engaging and I fell in love with Filip and Nadia. I loved getting to know both Filip and Nadia. Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes so I was excited about that.They were such strong characters who had learned to overcome much. I was rooting for them as they fell in love. It was sweet to read about Filip and Nadia interacting.
The plot was very interesting. I was drawn into the war and the fight that Filip and Naida were facing. I didn’t know how this was going to end. I am not really a historical fiction type of person but this book was really good. I did have a harder time with the battles and such but I was still interested in the book.
A Waltz with Traitors is a historical romance. It does have a lighter romance but the characters were wonderful. I love the side characters and the family that they had created together.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.
Title:I’m Not Charlotte Lucas Author: Kasey Stockton Publisher: Covenant Communications Release Date: February 7th, 2023 Genre: Contemporary Romance
orthern California girl Charlotte “Charlie” Lucas has two great loves: Diet Coke and Pride and Prejudice. But her passion for Regency classics is tempered by a very real fear: Charlie is terrified of having to endure the fate of her namesake—spinsterhood. Despite her best attempts to maintain a modern sensibility, she can’t say no when an elderly neighbor asks Charlie to attend a charity ball with her grandson. Blind date or not, Charlie is powerless to resist the allure of a real-life ball. Soon it’s clear that she will struggle to resist the charms of her blind date too.
Liam Connell is every bit the swoon-worthy leading man, straight out of Charlie’s daydreams. But he’s completely unattainable—his last girlfriend was a gorgeous actress and a far cry from Charlie’s world. So after a magical evening with Liam, Charlie is ready to get back to reality, even if her best option right now is a former boyfriend who wants to give it another shot. Unfortunately, despite imagining she’ll never see Liam again, he seems to be everywhere. How is a lady to move past a fantasy when life suddenly seems to be imitating fiction to an alarming degree?
Book Review:
I loved this book! It was just the perfect sweet and romantic read that I needed. I’m Not Charlotte Lucas is written by Kasey Stockton and it was just a great read! This was a sweet contemporary read with wonderful and engaging characters!
Charlotte was such a wonderful character! I loved how relatable she was. She was trying to find herself and she feared making mistakes. Charlotte was in a rut. She was stuck in a life cycle and she didn’t know what to do with her life. Charlotte had to learn to let go of the past and look towards the future. She had to learn to hope again. I loved reading about Charlotte growing. Liam helped her see that she was perfect just the way that she was. Charlotte had to work on herself and realize that she didn’t need to fit a mold. Charlotte learned to reach for the stars.
Liam was a sweetheart. He was just trying his best and I loved him. I loved his relationship with his brother and how he was down to earth. I liked how Liam wasn’t perfect but he had his own things to work through. He was trying to raise his brother and he just didn’t know what to do. It was also cute to read about him with Charlotte, he really fell hard. Liam had to learn how to love Charlotte and show her that he cared.
Liam and Charlotte were just a perfect couple. I loved their interaction and banter. It was so fun. They really complemented each other and it was sweet to read about them falling in love. They had to work through exes, meddling grandmothers, and social status but it was worth the journey. I really like the way Stockton wrote her characters, they felt so real. I also really liked the side characters and I hope that Charlotte’s best friend, Beth, gets her own book.
I adored I’m Not Charlotte Lucas and I would definitely recommend it! You need to add it to your TBR! I want to read more of these characters and I hope that Stockton writes more books to add to this one. I’m Not Charlotte Lucas is a clean contemporary romance with hints of Pride and Prejudice sprinkled within, hence the name.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.
Title: Scotland’s Melody Author: Katie Stewart Stone Publisher: Covenant Communications Release Date: January 8th, 2023 Genre: Regency Romance
Melody Foster has been granted every luxury available, save one: the ability to love whom she chooses. When her father reveals that she is to marry a wild Scot she’s never met, Melody defies him and declares she will never marry without affection. Her choice to marry Richard, a footman in her father’s household, prompts her family to disown her, and she goes to London to risk everything for love. But she is blindsided. Without a penny to her name, her love is worthless to Richard, and he decides to change tactics. Perhaps she could still serve a purpose―after all, her family can’t sit idly by while she is held for ransom . . .
Desperate to escape the man she thought she loved, Melody finds allies to aid her: first, her old governess and then Cameron Findlay, a handsome stranger who is startled by the distraught young woman who catapulted into his life. Cam finds himself sympathetic to the young woman’s plight, so he and his sister agree to take her on as a servant in their household. Cam and Melody are powerfully drawn to each other, but can Melody ever trust her heart when it was so terribly wrong before?
Book Review:
This was a sweet and fun book! It is the first book that I have read by Katie Stewart Stone but I really enjoyed it! I am definitely going to be reading more of her books. Scotland’s Melody is written by Katie Stewart Stone.
Melody was a complicated character. There were times when I was so frustrated with her and her decisions. However she grew on me throughout the book and I love getting to see her grow and mature. Melody was young and in love but she made a mistake however she ended up paying for her mistake.
Cameron was a lovely character. He was so interesting to read about and I loved getting to know him more. He was so complex. However Cameron was kind and I loved how he cared and teased his sister. Cameron had to come to grips with his feelings and learn how to interact with Melody. She was not what he had expected and had changed things.
I adored the romance that grew between Melody and Cameron. It was sweet to read about them connecting and getting to know each other. I love how they became friends first and then they grew to love each other. The plot was interesting and I was really engaged in the story. I wanted to see how Melody and Cameron were going to overcome their differences. There were so many surprises along the way and I loved it!
I love Cameron’s sister and I saw hints of a second book which I am super excited for. Sibling relationships are one of my favorite things to read about and I adored their relationship. I liked the family aspects in this book.
Scotland’s Melody was a wonderful sweet book! I really enjoyed it and I definitely want to read more by this author. Scotland’s Melody is a clean historical romance.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.
Does love have a chance if she doesn’t play by the rules?
Lady Patience Kendrick was born to a life of privilege, and with the London Season looming, she finds herself facing unprecedented pressure to adhere to the rules of society. Unfortunately, the free-spirited young woman is anything but proper. Patience’s elder brother, a former military man, bemoans his sister’s antics—but when he accuses her of incurable frivolity, it is simply more than she can bear. Determined to prove her brother wrong, Patience undertakes a drastic experiment: she will disguise herself as a maid and demonstrate her ability to work as hard as anyone.
Taken on as household staff by her brother’s former general, Patience soon learns that willingness and ability are two very different things. While her plan sounded promising in theory, the reality is that she is out of her depth—and the irresistibly charming son of the house isn’t helping matters. Patience soon finds herself embroiled in a charade far more complicated than she imagined. With both her pride and her heart at stake, she is determined to prove her brother wrong—even as her plans spiral delightfully out of control.
Book Review:
I have heard so many good things about Esther Hatch’s books and I knew that I had to try it myself. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. A Proper Charade is the second book in Esther Hatch’s Proper Scandals series.
Lady Patience Kendrick just wanted to prove to her brother that she was reliable. Determined to show him that she can work hard, she disguises herself and goes to work as a maid in her brother’s formal general’s home. While there Patience finds her plan getting more and more complicated. Will she be able to prove to her brother that she is reliable and able to work, as her plans spiral out of control?
I really liked Patience, she was quirky and fun. I liked how she said whatever came to mind, she was honest to a fault. Patience endeared herself to me pretty quickly, and I just really enjoyed reading about her and her adventures. She was different from the other ladies of her time, and it made it hard for her. She so wanted to prove herself to her brother, and she wanted to be better and do more.
Andrew was so serious, but he was also such a sweetheart. I really liked him also and I felt bad for him. He tried so hard to live up to his father’s expectations, but he felt like he would never be enough. I also liked his quirks. He made lots of lists and he was so orderly, but he was also kind.
Patience and Andrew were perfect together. They balanced each other. He helped her stay focused and she helped him relax. I loved reading scenes about them together. The charades that happened during this book were hilarious, nothing was quite as it seemed. Patience was a horrible maid, but she tried her best. And Andrew needed a way to prove to Miss Morgan that she was the right woman for him. I found myself bursting out laughing while I was reading this book
I also really enjoyed the side characters, Mr. Gilbert was super nice. Andrew’s family was the sweetest, I loved his niece and nephew, they really added to the book. Also his sister was amazing! Patience’s brother was kind but strict, and I really want him to have his own book now!A Proper Charade was amazing and I really enjoyed it! Once I got into it, I didn’t want to put it down. I would definitely recommend it. A Proper Charade is a clean historical romance book.
Title: Secrets of the Sonnets Author: Samantha Hastings Publisher: Covenant Communications Release Date: January 2nd, 2023 Genre: Historical Romance
Miranda Hatch is a scholar, and at the advanced age of twenty-six, she is undoubtedly a spinster. Her single-minded ambition leads her not to seek a husband but to find the lost manuscripts of William Shakespeare. So when she discovers a connection between the Bard and the local dashing marquess, she pens a letter requesting access to papers that might secure her academic triumph.
Lord Robert Hamilton is drowning in debt and must turn things around or risk losing his ancestral home. With the weight of the world on his shoulders, he has little time to bother with a letter from an M. Hatch requesting access to ancestral papers―until he realizes there may be some financial merit in granting the request. To his great surprise, M. Hatch turns out to be none other than the lovely Miss Miranda. The pair soon embarks on the trail of a centuries-old mystery, drawn together not only by their shared goal but by their growing attraction. However, someone else is seeking the priceless papers, and they will not hesitate to remove anyone in the way of glory.
Book Review:
An exciting historical romance with witty dialogue and charming characters, Secrets of the Sonnets is such a fun read! This is my first of Ms. Hastings books and it was such an enjoyable read. Miranda Hatch is a scholar, and unfortunately for her mother, at the age of twenty-six, a spinster. Her single-minded ambition to find the lost manuscripts of William Shakespeare has left her with little time to seek a husband. The connection between the Bard and a local marquess leads her to request access for papers that could secure her academic triumph. Lord Robert Hamilton has found himself drowning in debt and at risk of losing his ancestral home. The letter from an M. Hatch requesting papers from his ancestors seems small in comparison, until he realizes the financial merit it could bring. When M. Hatch turns out to be the lovely Miss Hatch, he soon finds himself following her as they seek out the trail of a century-old mystery. Their shared goal and growing attraction draws them together, but someone else is also seeking the papers and they will not hesitate to remove anyone else in their search.
This was such an engaging and interesting story! I really enjoyed the banter especially. Miranda was so fun! I loved her intelligence and confidence. She had some difficulty in her past experience with romance, so she was settling into her “spinster” status. Robert was a surprise to her. I enjoyed reading about them getting to know each other and how they connected. I also really loved her relationship with her parents. Miranda and her father were hilarious! I loved their bonding over Shakespeare and their game! I also really appreciated how even though Miranda and her mother were very different, they still got along and enjoyed one another’s company. Miranda was able to establish herself in a new way throughout the story. She learned about her place and how a new relationship could fit into her life.
Robert was struggling with all that had been dropped on him with the inheritance of his estate. I felt so much for him. From the financial aspect, to his new responsibilities to his family, his POV made me really feel like I understood him and could empathize with him. Watching him fall in love with Miranda was also so cute, I loved the way his friends and sisters teased him too! Their journey was really interesting to follow and I was really engaged in the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to those who enjoy their historical romance with some adventure and history mixed in! This is a clean historical romance with some more exciting scenes of danger, but nothing graphic.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.
Title: The Call of the Sea Author: Sian Ann Bessey Publisher: Covenant Communications Release Date: November 1st, 2022 Genre: Historical Romance
A Viking Historical Romance
On the eve of her betrothal to a nobleman she’s never met, Rhiannon seeks comfort on the shores of the sea she loves so well. But instead of offering peace to her uneasy heart, the ocean heralds doom with the arrival of dreaded Viking ships. A vicious raid leads to the death of her beloved father and leaves Rhiannon’s life in tatters. Heartbroken, she travels to Ynys Môn, where she takes up residence at the royal court of Owain Gwynedd.
Leif loves voyaging on the open water. As the son of a Viking chief, he’s accustomed to his people’s practice of plundering and looting. But when one of his companions ruthlessly kills an old man in front of the man’s beautiful daughter, Leif is haunted by the memory. Desperate to find forgiveness for the atrocity he allowed to occur, he’s offered a chance at redemption through the kindly teachings of an Irish priest and the unexpected arrival of a royal fugitive. Suddenly thrust into the midst of the Cymry’s political turmoil, Leif is reunited with the dead man’s daughter—Rhiannon. Forced to work side by side to uncover the truth behind the turmoil, they come to discover that love can grow from even the most tragic of beginnings. But with such incompatible backgrounds, surely a future together can never be theirs.
Book Review:
First of all, this cover is stunning and of course the story was amazing! Sian Ann Bessey is a wonderful author and her books are always awesome. I was excited to read this book and it did not disappoint. The Call of the Sea is a Norse Romance and oh so exciting.
Rhiannon was lovely. She had gone through much, losing her parents and yet she still sought to be kind. Rhiannon was trying to figure out what was going on in her life, she had lost not only her father but her home. Rhiannon was an easy character to read about, she felt relatable. Rhiannon had to learn to forgive those who had harmed her, never knowing that there might be some good in the Vikings.
Lief was just a wonderful character. I loved his growth and his kindness. He knew that plugging a place was evil so he tried to change and make amends for his mistakes. Lief had to learn to look towards the future, learning from his mistakes in his past. I love how Lief still tried to help others and how he sought to do what was good even when he was trying to figure out what he believed.
I liked the romance between Rhiannon and Lief. Although they were basically enemies, it did not feel rushed or stilted. Rhiannon had to learn to trust Lief before they could even hope to be friends. The plot was also so interesting and I was engaged in the story the whole time. There was so much going on and I wanted to see how the story was going to end.
This book had it all, excitement, mystery and romance. The characters were also a lot of fun. I loved reading about the character’s growth. I also love how Bessey was able to weave faith into her book. This was just a stunning story. The Call of the Sea is a thrilling book and it needs to be on your TBR. The Call of the Sea is a clean historical romance.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Call of the Sea by Sian Ann Bessey, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book:
Title: The Call of the Sea Author: Sian Ann Bessey Publisher: Covenant Communications Release Date: November 1st, 2022 Genre: Inspirational Historical/Viking Romance
A Viking Historical Romance
On the eve of her betrothal to a nobleman she’s never met, Rhiannon seeks comfort on the shores of the sea she loves so well. But instead of offering peace to her uneasy heart, the ocean heralds doom with the arrival of dreaded Viking ships. A vicious raid leads to the death of her beloved father and leaves Rhiannon’s life in tatters. Heartbroken, she travels to Ynys Môn, where she takes up residence at the royal court of Owain Gwynedd.
Leif loves voyaging on the open water. As the son of a Viking chief, he’s accustomed to his people’s practice of plundering and looting. But when one of his companions ruthlessly kills an old man in front of the man’s beautiful daughter, Leif is haunted by the memory. Desperate to find forgiveness for the atrocity he allowed to occur, he’s offered a chance at redemption through the kindly teachings of an Irish priest and the unexpected arrival of a royal fugitive. Suddenly thrust into the midst of the Cymry’s political turmoil, Leif is reunited with the dead man’s daughter—Rhiannon. Forced to work side by side to uncover the truth behind the turmoil, they come to discover that love can grow from even the most tragic of beginnings. But with such incompatible backgrounds, surely a future together can never be theirs.
How did you choose the title of the book? The hero and the heroine both have a special connection to the sea. “The Call of the Sea” came to me as a way of expressing the emotions they were each feeling.
What made you want to write in this era? I love including lesser-known historical events in my books. I grew up in Wales and so setting a book based on an actual event that involved the Vikings in my homeland was exciting.
What kind of research did you have to do to write this book? It involved so much research. I did historical research on the Vikings, the Cymry, and the Irish, and specifically on the events that led to the rift between Owain Gwynedd and his brother.
How did you come up with the names of your characters? Many of the names are the actual names of the people who lived through this time in history. The other names are names that would have been used in that era by those of the different nationalities.
What was the hardest part of writing this book? The research, and meshing the real events with fictional characters.
Did you have a character that you related more to? There were aspects of both Rhiannon’s and Lief’s characters that I could relate to. I particularly related to their love of their homelands and their desires to be true to their hearts.
How do you deal with historical accuracy? The 1100s was a messy time in history. Historians do not all agree on the details of certain events and much remains unknown. Whenever possible, I read multiple sources to learn about specific events and everyday life. It was fascinating to learn more about this era.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sian Ann Bessey was born in Cambridge, England, but grew up on the island of Anglesey off the coast of North Wales. She left her homeland to attend university in the U.S. and earned a bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in English.
She began her writing career as a student, publishing several magazine articles while still in college. Since then she has published historical romance and romantic suspense novels, along with a variety of children’s books. She is a USA Today best selling author, a Foreward Reviews Book of the Year finalist, and a Whitney Award finalist.
Although Sian doesn’t have the opportunity to speak Welsh very often anymore, she can still wrap her tongue around, “Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.” She loves to travel and experience other cultures, but when she’s home, her favorite activities are spending time with her family, cooking, and reading.
Connect with Sian by visiting sianannbessey.comto follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a signed copy of The Call of the Sea, $25 Amazon Gift Card, swag bundle (including stickers, bookmark, button, cross necklace), virtual book club kit, and ebook of The Heart of the Rebellion.
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 31, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 7, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Title: The Danger with Diamonds Series: Falcon Point Suspense #1 Author: Sian Ann Bessey and Traci Hunter Abramson Publisher: Covenant Communications Release Date: October 11th, 2022 Genre: Romantic Suspense
When Lars Hendriks arranges to meet Marit Jansen in Vienna, he is hoping their friendship will blossom into romance. What he doesn’t expect is a surprise visit from his cousin Cole or the loose diamonds he brings with him.
As a CIA operative, Cole Bridger is used to uncertainty, but when his work takes him back to Vienna, he looks forward to reconnecting with Isabelle Roberts, the fellow agent he dated briefly before duty took him away from Austria. Unfortunately, his silence over the last few months has created a chasm that he can’t cross without help. He barely takes a step toward repairing the damaged relationship when a brazen jewel heist seemingly links Cole, Lars, Marit, and Isabelle to the crime. The group is drawn into a deadly mystery, and once again, the treasures of Falcon Point are threatened. It doesn’t take long for them to realize they have stumbled upon something far bigger and more dangerous than a simple robbery. And someone on the inside knows it.
Book Review:
Wow! Another amazing book by two awesome authors. The Danger with Diamonds is a companion novel to Heirs of Falcon Point. I was beyond excited to hear that there was going to be another book. I knew that some of the characters still had a story that needed to be told. It was fun to see Lars and Cole again and get to read their story.
Cole was a CIA Operative. He was used to being undercover and working under pressure but he was not used to courting a girl. It was sweet to read about Cole fighting for Isabelle, but Cole also had to figure out how to find his family’s jewels. Isabelle was so cool. I loved how she was able to handle herself and yet she knew when she needed help. Isabelle was hurt when Cole ghosted her but she was willing to put aside her feelings to get to the bottom of the heist. However, as Cole and Isabelle spent time together, they found themselves falling for each other.
Lars was a sweetheart. I really liked him. You didn’t get to see much of him in the last book so it was cool to learn more about him. He wasn’t an operative but he wasn’t willing to let his family’s jewels just be taken. It was cool to see Lars step up and fight. Marit was also wonderful. She was one of Lars’ closest friends and it was sweet to read about them falling in love. Marit had to learn to trust Lars and his family especially as things got complicated. Marit and Lars always had a connection but as they interacted, it grew to more.
It was interesting to read about Cole and Lars and see them falling in love. I loved both of the characters and reading about their romance. They were both unique characters and they made the book fun to read. All of the characters had a part to play that was exciting to see. The characters were likable and I was able to connect with them. I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out how this story was going to end. The plot was engaging and I didn’t know what they were going to find out about the bank heist.
The Danger with Diamonds is a must read! It is an exciting suspenseful romance. I felt as if this was the perfect blind of romance and suspense. I am crossing my fingers that there will be more books to come in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Danger with Diamonds by Traci Hunter Abramson & Sian Ann Bessey, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book:
Title: The Danger with Diamonds Series: Falcon Point Suspense #1 Author: Sian Ann Bessey and Traci Hunter Abramson Publisher: Covenant Communications Release Date: October 11th, 2022 Genre: Clean & Wholesome Romantic Suspense
Some secrets are worth keeping. Others are not.
When Lars Hendriks arranges to meet Marit Jansen in Vienna, he is hoping their friendship will blossom into romance. What he doesn’t expect is a surprise visit from his cousin Cole or the loose diamonds he brings with him.
As a CIA operative, Cole Bridger is used to uncertainty, but when his work takes him back to Vienna, he looks forward to reconnecting with Isabelle Roberts, the fellow agent he dated briefly before duty took him away from Austria. Unfortunately, his silence over the last few months has created a chasm that he can’t cross without help. He barely takes a step toward repairing the damaged relationship when a brazen jewel heist seemingly links Cole, Lars, Marit, and Isabelle to the crime. The group is drawn into a deadly mystery, and once again, the treasures of Falcon Point are threatened. It doesn’t take long for them to realize they have stumbled upon something far bigger and more dangerous than a simple robbery. And someone on the inside knows it.
We really came up with the idea for The Danger with Diamonds while we were still working on The Heirs of Falcon Point. Both of us knew that our characters had more stories to tell, and it didn’t take long for the basic plot to take shape.
How did you choose the title of the book?
We offered several title suggestions to our publisher, but Sian came up with this one based on the diamonds that are integral to the plot and the danger that follows them.
How did you co write this book?
We wrote together using a Google.doc with the basic idea of what the first couple scenes would look like. Then each day Traci would write a scene or two in the morning. When Sian woke up (she is in a time zone two hours behind Traci), she would then work on her scene. Often when Traci would wake up, Sian would have another scene waiting for her. Every 8 to 10 scenes, we would have a zoom call to plan out the next portion of the book.
What was the hardest part of writing this book?
Sian will tell you it was getting Traci to help figure out the bad guy. Traci will tell you it was trying to figure out the bad guy. This is what happens when two discovery writers come together, and one (Traci) has absolutely no idea what is going to happen next.
How much research did you need to do in order to write this book?
Traci’s CIA background saved us hours of research into the ins-and-outs of law enforcement. There were a few times when we felt it necessary to check on specific protocols, but for the most part, her knowledge borne of experience was our best resource. Having grown up in Wales, Sian’s European upbringing helped make our European characters more authentic. We have both visited Vienna, which helped us as we decided on locations for various scenes. Our most time-consuming research involved uncovering small details like: When does the Christmas Market at Stephansplatz open? Which U-bahn lines run underground? What are the toppings offered at a typical doner stand?
Do you like writing the romance or suspense parts better?
We both find romantic and suspense scenes challenging to write. The suspense build up is not as difficult as a fight scene. And the increase in romantic tension is not as difficult as a kissing scene. Given a choice, we’d both avoid writing fight scenes and kissing scenes completely if we could.
Where do you get the ideas for your characters?
The main characters in The Danger with Diamonds originally appeared in Heirs of Falcon Point. Lars and Cole are cousins who only recently learned of each other’s existence. Neither of them has brothers, and it was really fun to develop a brother-like relationship between them. Isabelle and Marit, our primary female characters in this book, also had cameo appearances in Heirs of Falcon Point, but we really enjoyed fleshing out their characters and allowing their individual strengths to shine. Most of our characters are a blending of people we know and people we’ve observed over the years.
How do you write relatable characters?
No one is perfect, including fictional characters, but at their core, our heroes and heroines are good people trying to do the right thing. We enjoy using humor to endear our characters to readers. We also show our characters making mistakes, overcoming difficult things, and trying to improve. Ultimately, when readers finish one of our books, we’d like them to feel a bond with the characters and be glad for the time they spent with them.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Traci Hunter Abramson was born in Arizona, where she lived until moving to Venezuela for a study-abroad program. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for several years, eventually resigning in order to raise her family. She credits the CIA with giving her a wealth of ideas for suspense novels as well as the skills needed to survive her children’s teenage years. She has gone on to write a number of bestselling suspense novels that have consistently been nominated as Whitney Award finalists. She considers shoes an optional accessory which became evident when she won her first three Whitney Awards in 2013 (Code Word), 2014 (Deep Cover), and 2016 (Failsafe.) Safe House won Whitney Awards for both the mystery/suspense category as well as 2017 Adult Novel of the Year. She added two additional awards in 2019 (Mistaken Reality – best mystery/suspense and Sanctuary – Adult Novel of the Year.) She currently lives in Virginia with her family where she enjoys sports, travel, writing, and recently retired from coaching high school swimming.
Connect with Traci by visiting traciabramson.comto follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
Sian Ann Bessey was born in Cambridge, England, but grew up on the island of Anglesey off the coast of North Wales. She left her homeland to attend university in the U.S. and earned a bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in English.
She began her writing career as a student, publishing several magazine articles while still in college. Since then she has published historical romance and romantic suspense novels, along with a variety of children’s books. She is a USA Today best selling author, a Foreward Reviews Book of the Year finalist, and a Whitney Award finalist.
Although Sian doesn’t have the opportunity to speak Welsh very often anymore, she can still wrap her tongue around, “Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.” She loves to travel and experience other cultures, but when she’s home, her favorite activities are spending time with her family, cooking, and reading.
Connect with Sian by visiting sianannbessey.comto follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card, a signed copy of The Danger of Diamonds, and book-themed swag (including stickers, bookmark, and postcard).
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 17, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 24, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Title: The Holly and the Ivy Author: Sarah M Eden, Esther Hatch, Dana LeCheminant, Anneka R. Walker Publisher: Covenant Communications Release Date: October 3rd, 2022 Genre: Historical Romance
Spend the holidays with four of your favorite historical romance authors, whose stories of Yuletide romance will brighten the season with humor, hope, and the promise of true love.
The Holly and the Ivy by Sarah M. Eden
As nursemaid to the eight-year-old Duke of Kielder, Robbie will spend her holidays with her young charge as a guest of Lord and Lady Jonquil. While the couple makes the child’s holiday magical, the handsome gardener works his own magic on Nurse Robbie’s heart.
Hiding Christmas by Esther Hatch
Celebrating Christmas in Scotland will only invite persecution. But that never stopped Kirstine’s English grandmother. When they are almost caught, Kirstine is forced to beg for the help of the one man she cannot abide.
A Twist of Christmas by Dana LeCheminant
A Christmas house party offers two members of the ton an irresistible opportunity: a weekend of anonymity. But their charade comes with unexpected romantic consequences.
A Season to Love by Anneka R. Walker
Alice Hunt is searching for a Christmas miracle: a husband of her choosing. With the threat of an arranged marriage looming, she looks to an unlikely matchmaker for help.
Book Review:
Um, all of these authors are amazing so I was just beyond excited to read this collection! And all of these novellas were just so good! The Holly and the Ivy is written by Sarah M Eden, Esther Hatch, Dana LeCheminant, and Anneka R Walker. I mean what a stellar line up.
So this first one looked good and it definitely did not disappoint. The Holly and the Ivy is written by Sarah M Eden and it is Adam, the Duke of Kieder’s nursemaid, Robbie. Mr. Simpkin was an interesting character, I had to warm up to him but I still liked him. This was cute and sweet. I loved getting to see Lucas and Julia again, it was fun to see them through different people’s eyes.
Hiding Christmas by Esther Hatch
The concept seemed a bit awkward for me, but I ended up really enjoying this one. Hiding Christmas is written by Esther Hatch and it is the second novella in the book. Kirstine did not like Isaac but she needed his help to get to England to celebrate Christmas. I liked the characters and enjoyed the story. It was fun to read about the characters getting over the past and starting over.
A Twist of Christmas by Dana LeCheminant
I adored this one! It was so sweet and fun! I loved the concept, two people pretending to be someone else and falling in love. A Twist of Christmas is by Dana LeCheminant and I loved the characters. I really wish that this novella was longer; it was just so fun to read. Beth and Graham were characters that I could relate too and I wanted to see how they would end up together. They had a lot of roads to cross but it was definitely a wonderful story.
A Season to Love by Anneka R Walker
I had a harder time getting into this one, but as I read more I grew to love the story. A Season to Love is written by Anneka R Walker and it is the last novella in the book but still wonderful. Alice and Thomas were such wonderful characters. Alice was looking for a husband and Thomas was the clergyman helping her in her search. I really enjoyed their interactions and the easy banter. I liked how they were both unique characters and it was sweet to read about them falling for each other.
All of these stories were wonderful and I would definitely recommend them. They were such fun Christmas historical romances. They reminded me of the Christmas spirit and I enjoyed reading about the characters connecting and fallin in love. The Holly and the Ivy is a wonderful book with engaging novellas.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.
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