Working Mommy Journal

In The Beautiful Pretender, what happens when a margrave realizes he’s fallen in love with a servant?

About The Beautiful Pretender

The Margrave of Thornbeck has to find a bride, fast. He invites ten noble-born ladies from around the country to be his guests at Thornbeck Castle for two weeks, a time to test these ladies and reveal their true character.

Avelina is only responsible for two things: making sure her deception goes undetected and avoiding being selected as the margrave’s bride. Since the latter seems unlikely, she concentrates on not getting caught. No one must know she is merely a maidservant, sent by the Earl of Plimmwald to stand in for his daughter, Dorothea.

Despite Avelina’s best attempts at diverting attention from herself, the margrave has taken notice. And try as she might, she can’t deny her own growing feelings. But something else is afoot in the castle. Something sinister that could have far worse—far deadlier—consequences. Will Avelina be able to stop the evil plot? And at what cost?

My Thoughts

A unique storyline, that sees our main character having to stand in for the Earl’s daughter for who has decided to run away from home. Avelina is a young woman, who has only known a life of service and loyalty to her family. It is this loyalty to her family that is used against her as she is sent instead of the Earl’s daughter to the Margave’s home.

The Margave is in desperate need of a bride but he does not want just any bride, he wants one that is selfless, caring, kind and has a love for all people. He sets up a unique set of tests for the women attending his home to work their way through. It is two women who pass these tests with flying colours, I am sure you can guess who is one of them! Avelina tries all she can to have the Margave ignore her but it is her kind soul that sets her apart. Her upbringing has taught her compassion and love for all people regardless of their social status.

In an unexpected turn of events, a secret plot is discovered by Avelina. As she works to discover who is plotting against the Margave she is in turn exposes herself and her true position. A web of murder, lies and more are exposed that puts both herself and the Margave in danger.

The Beautiful Pretender is a unique novel that I fell in love with. It has an exciting plot line that you have never read anything similar before and just enough suspense and romance. An overall fantastic read for individuals of all ages!

You can find more reviews on the Litfuse blog tour page. You can purchase a copy of the book here.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Melanie Dickerson is the author of The Healer’s Apprentice, a Christy Award finalist and winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award for Best First Book. Melanie earned a bachelor’s degree in special education from the University of Alabama and has been a teacher and a missionary. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Huntsville, Alabama.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

In Through the Shadows, as we see San Francisco rise from the ashes, an age-old battle looms between corruption and the promise of new beginnings.

About Through the Shadows

The devastating earthquake is just two years past, but the city of San Francisco is still trying to recover. Destruction of this magnitude is not so easy to overcome—and neither are the past regrets shadowing Elizabeth King’s hopeful future.

Hoping to right her wrongs, Elizabeth dedicates herself to helping girls rescued from slavery in Chinatown brothels, even if it means putting her own life at risk to sneak through the gloomy alleys and rooftops where dangers lurk.

Putting her life on the line for a worthy cause is admirable. But opening her heart is even more terrifying. So when Elizabeth meets attorney, Charles McKinley—a man who dreams of reforming San Francisco’s crooked politics—Elizabeth begins to doubt: Can she maintain her pretense and hide her past? Or will her secret jeopardize both their futures?

My Thoughts

After having read Karen’s other two novels, Beyond the Ashes and Out of the Ruins, I could not wait to get started on Through the Shadows. In this novel, we meet two new characters who are tied to our familiar favourites from the previous two novels (I LOVE this the most – you get to see how their lives evolve while being introduced to two new characters you fall in love with).

The novel takes place two years after the devastating earthquake that destroys most of San Francisco. Many of the citizens have lost everything and are trying to just stay a float, this is true for Elizabeth. Her father’s investments were lost both in the earthquake and the fire that followed. It is this combined with her love of making a difference, that sees her travel to San Francisco. She wants to put her past behind her, join her siblings and make a difference in the lives of young girls who are sold into slavery. She meets up with Charles, a young man who wants to make a positive difference in politics and the lives of the people he meets.

Charles is a character of strong convictions. He senses something is not quite right at his Uncle’s firm and works hard to uncover the details. What he finds is unbelievable and heart breaking. What he does with this knowledge, is mind blowing.

Through the Shadows is an amazing tale of forgiveness, healing and love against all odds. Our characters fight against the social constraints of society towards women, men and even foreigners, corruption that goes unpunished and the societal norm. It leaves you with hope and understanding. A fantastic read from start to finish, that leaves you craving just a little bit more!

You can find more reviews on the Litfuse blog tour page. You can purchase a copy of the book here.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Karen Barnett is the author of Beyond the Ashes, Out of the Ruins, and Mistaken. Named the 2013 Writer of Promise by Oregon Christian Writers, Karen lives in Albany, Oregon, with her husband and two kids. When she’s not writing novels, she loves speaking at women’s events, libraries, and book clubs.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

In Someone Like You, Single mom Julia Dare has a lot on her plate: her son, her failed relationship, her new found relationship with God as well as her own personal business.

About Someone Like You

A brand new Christian, Julia is busy trying to run her own business, spend time with her widowed mother, and raise her young son, Max, despite his father’s less-than-ideal influence on him. When a big account from her event-planning business sends her to the Caliente Springs resort, she’s shocked to come face-to-face with Zeke Monroe, the resort’s general manager and her college sweetheart.

With his faith in tatters, Zeke Monroe is determined to keep the historic Caliente Springs resort running despite financial difficulties. But when Julia walks back into his life, he can’t ignore the feelings she stirs up. As they work together on an important client’s dream wedding, the fate of the resort soon depends on their success. When Zeke and Julia are pushed to their limits both personally and professionally, will their history put up walls between them or bring them together.

My Thoughts

What would the chances be that you meet up years later with the man you loved but ran away from? Even more so that you came out to do business with him! Pretty slim right? But this is what happens in this novel.

Our two main characters were once very much in love but it was faith that pushed Julia away from him and sent him into the arms of a man who did not love her but loved the idea of her. Several years later, they have almost switched in their faith beliefs. Zeke is holding onto pain from his past that is difficult for him to forgive and move on. Julia has found God and puts her faith (and child) first.

Throughout the novel their feelings are ignited but tested many times by not only each other but their faith, others around them and financial uncertainty. You want to be able to guide the two of them together because you can see how wonderful they would be together but at the same time both of them have so much growing to do that you don’t know if they can be together. A fantastic novel about faith, forgiveness and hope, you will love every moment of this novel!

You can find more reviews on the Litfuse blog tour page. You can purchase a copy of the book here.

Rating: 4.5/5

About the Author

Victoria Bylin writes contemporary and historical romances known for their realistic, relatable characters. Her work has finaled in contests such as the Carol Awards, the RITAs, and the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award. A native of California, she and her husband now make their home in Lexington, Kentucky.

Enter now here! Good luck!

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.