Review of How I Married a Marquess by Anna Harrington

How I Married a Marquess by Anna Harrington
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Josie and Thomas have both lived through very rough times in their past. His being haunted from his experiences working as a spy and hers is growing up in a disadvantaged orphanage. She would do anything for the orphans and she proves it when she tries to be a Robin Hood for them. The reader can see how caring Josie is as well as how she feels responsible for making sure they are fed, clothed and warm.

Thomas is looking for a way to get back into the job he was born to do, being a spy for England. However, a gun fight left him shaken up mentally and emotionally. I really like how the author brought attention to mental health in this novel because even in the 1800s I'm sure there were thousands of men in the wars that had what we call "post traumatic stress." An opportunity arises that sends Thomas right to Josie who seems to be the light to his darkness. She knew just how to calm him.

Both of their different experiences seem to compliment each other. I just knew from their second meeting when she saw him in distress and was able to bring him back to reality that he needed her in his life. I love how the 2 characters weren't just attracted to one another physically. Upon their first encounter it was like he was drawn to her curious wit rather than just her looks. I also enjoyed how Thomas makes sure justice is served without a certain nosy female getting in the way and botching his plan lol! I'm rating How I Married a Marquess a 5 out of 5 stars because this book had me falling in love with Josie and Thomas. I also liked how they both couldn't seem to take their eyes or hands off each other!! Exactly what one wants to see in a regency romance ;)
I received this book from the publishers as an eARC on Netgalley free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

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Review of The Girl in the Red Coat by Kate Hamer

The Girl in the Red Coat by Kate Hamer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story of a mother and daughter's journey through an unexpected separation that shows how strong the human spirit is when faced with tragedy. Beth and her 7 year old special daughter Carmel are at a storybook fair when Carmel disappears and is taken by a man who tells her he's her grandfather. The places and people they meet takes advantage of Carmel's special abilities. This is one book that will pull at any parents' heart strings. It's a parent's worst nightmare to lose a child and find out they've been kidnapped. Throughout the book the reader is given an inside look at how Beth deals with her missing girl and you see her struggle to understand how to go on living.
Carmel's journey takes her to the states with gramps, his girlfriend and her 2 girls. As a fanatical religious man the reader has difficulty discerning whether gramps ever cared for Carmel or if he's just using her for her healing abilities to make money. I notice with Carmel the author focuses more on Carmel's new found relationships.
The Girl in the Red Coat is an emotionally charged well written story that had me in tears to 0)lthe very last page. I was left questioning who were the bad guys. Obviously gramps comes to mind as the bad guy for kidnapping Carmel but yet I think he felt he was truly saving her from parents he thought didn't care enough for her. He never molested or abused her as I was expecting. Instead in a way he really was like a grandfather to her.
I give The Girl in the Red Coat a 5 out of 5 stars because I was glued to its pages in hopes the mother and daughter would somehow be reunited. An emotional thriller makes a parent like me aware of how true this story could be for someone in the crazy world we live in.
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway.



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Flirtation Walk by Siri Mitchell

Flirtation Walk by Siri Mitchell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lucinda and Seth's story takes place around the mid 1800s in a town near the military academy West Point. The characters in the book really grabbed my attention. Lucinda, raised by a con artist who also happens to be her father, used her as part of his swindling jobs. She doesn't know what normal life in a small town is like until she learns of his death and returns to her mother's estranged family. Her naive personality about people and the world is complex and forgiving given her past. I felt Lucinda is the strongest character in the novel and I caught myself cheering her on when she began to trust others and changed her views.
Seth is also an interesting character however I wanted to meet his sister and see her and Seth reunite after everything they've been through. I'm guessing/hoping that's going to be in a later book of her own. Seth shows how much he's willing to give up for his loved ones yet his idea of getting there is a bit irresponsible.
The ending was as I hoped it would be. I enjoyed the way Lucinda stood her ground and stuck up for herself especially to her father. However I wish Seth and Lucinda could finally have the kiss they missed when walking down flirtation walk the first time. I'm a sucker for first kisses lol! Anyways, I'm going to give Flirtation Walk a 3 out of 5 stars because I really wanted to see more chemistry between Seth and Lucinda however I loved Lucinda and enjoyed seeing her change into the person her mother would be proud of.
I received this ARC from Baker Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

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