Random Novel / Against the Tide

I just read this book last week. I'd read a few of Elizabeth Camden's books before but I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed them. Each of her books has a beautiful romance along with a mystery-filled plot. You won't be able to set down the book until the last chapter is over!

Book Title: Against the Tide
Author: Elizabeth Camden

Description:
After a childhood rampant with uncertainty, Lydia Pallas has carved out a perfect life for herself. She spends her days within sight of the bustling Boston Harbor, where her skill with languages has landed her an enviable position as a translator for the U.S. Navy.

Lydia's talents bring her tot he attention of Alexander Banebride, a mysterious man in need of a translator. Driven by a campaign to end the opium trade, Band is coolly analytical and relentless in his quest. He cannot afford to fall for Lydia and must fight the bittersweet love growing between them.

When Bane's enemies gain the upper hand, he is forced to turn to Lydia for help. Determined to prove her worth, Lydia soon discovers that carrying out Bane's mission will test her wits and her courage to the very limits.

My Review:
Against the Tide is a historical fiction taking place in the last decade of the eighteen hundreds. Two characters are determined to bring an end to the growing trade of opium and in the mist of this they find themselves falling in love with each other.

I found the book to be exciting from the first chapter and was enthralled until the very end. I liked the main characters Lydia and Bane, as he was called, a lot. Lydia's past has shaped her into a young woman dependent on order for her security. Bane is driven with a calling that he's willing to sacrifice his future for.

In the whole book I was only dissatisfied with one thing. Bane left Lydia brokenhearted because he didn't want to risk her life and yet when something comes up he goes back to her because he needs her to infiltrate his enemy's mansion. Why is he all the sudden willing to risk her? It's a lot more dangerous sending her off by herself than having her by your side... I just didn't get it.

Anyway, even with that I felt it was a great book. One I would read again.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Follow Elizabeth Camden's board Against the Tide on Pinterest.

Meet Lady Rosemarie Montfort and Sir Derrick Harding

About the book:

Due to her parents' promise at her birth, Lady Rosemarie has been prepared to become a nun on the day she turns eighteen. Then, a month before her birthday, a friend of her father's enters the kingdom and proclaims her parents' will left a second choice--if Rosemarie can marry before the eve of her eighteenth year, she will be exempt from the ancient vow.

Before long, Rosemarie is presented with the three most handsome and brave knights in the land. But when the competition for her heart seemingly results in a knight playing foul, she begins to wonder if the convent is the best place after all. If only one of the knights--the one who appears the most guilty--had not already captured her heart.

from Jody Hedlund's Pinterest Board,
An Uncertain Choice. (Isabel Lucas)

Brief Physical Description:
Lady Rosemarie Montfort is a young woman on the verge of vowing celibacy and devotion to God on her eighteenth birthday; in accordance to a vow her parent's made before her birth. All will agree that Rosemarie is the most beautiful in the land with her golden blonde hair and fair complexion.

from Jody Hedlund's Pinterest Board,
An Uncertain Choice. (Max Irons)

Perhaps the best way to describe Sir Derrick Harding is through Rosemarie's view:
"...The knight's eyes were the gray color of burnished steel. His hair was a hazy blond, not at all like my pure golden strands, but tested, tried, and weathered by battles and elements from which I'd always been sheltered. The muscles in his face were as taut and well defined as the rest of his body. The only imperfection on his face was a scar alongside one of his eyes -- eyes that even now seemed to see past the walls that surrounded me and to the vulnerable young woman I really was..."
Sums him up pretty well, don't ya think?

Character Traits:
Rosemarie's most eminent trait is compassion. She is very tenderhearted and can't stand to see anyone suffer unduly. She struggles with making big decisions on her own but through Derrick's influence and God's guidance she prepares herself to become her land's ruler.

Derrick has many of the same traits as Rosemarie. Once you get to know him you will vouch that he has a soft side to him that is hidden to the eye. He may come off as apathetic at first but he is actually very loyal, noble, kind, daring, compassionate,...the list continues. Combine those with the thought of him being a real knight....every girl's dream guy, right? :P

Occupations:

Montfort Castle, Ashby
(from Jody Hedlund's Pinterest Board,
An Uncertain Choice)

At the death of her parents Lady Rosemarie Montfort became Ashby's ruler. Though young, she possesses wisdom beyond her years and a heart of kindness for her people. For the past fours years she has been preparing to enter the convent on her eighteenth birthday.

Sir Derrick Harding is a knight in the train of the Duke of Rivenshire. Not just any knight, but one of the three most noble and known for brave and valiant deeds. At the Duke's bidding, he competes with two other knights for the hand of Lady Rosemarie.

Noble Knights / An Uncertain Choice

Wow! Isn't that a great quote? So profound...While reading An Uncertain Choice you'll come across plenty more words of wisdom that you're sure to enjoy...

5 more days till the official start of the wonderful season of Summer! :)

Book Title: An Uncertain Choice 

Series: Noble Knights (Book 1)

Author: Jody Hedlund

Description:
Due to her parents' promise at her birth, Lady Rosemarie has been prepared to become a nun on the day she turns eighteen. Then, a month before her birthday, a friend of her father's enters the kingdom and proclaims her parents' will left a second choice--if Rosemarie can marry before the eve of her eighteenth year, she will be exempt from the ancient vow.

Before long, Rosemarie is presented with the three most handsome and brave knights in the land. But when the competition for her heart seemingly results in a knight playing foul, she begins to wonder if the convent is the best place after all. If only one of the knights--the one who appears the most guilty--had not already captured her heart.

My Review:
I wasn't exactly sure what Jody Hedlund's first YA book would be like. I wasn't at all hesitant to read it, mind you, just curious. It was awesome! The style was basically the same as her other books but the main character, Rosemarie, was a teenager on the verge of adulthood instead of the usual slightly-more-mature characters. It was "cleaner" too, not that her other books aren't clean, don't get me wrong, but in this book the characters never kissed until the epilogue after they married. I'm sure something that parents appreciate. :)

I loved how Jody portrayed her characters. Rosemarie, a beautiful, young woman learning to make decisions through God's guidance. Derrick, a humble and noble knight willing to stand against wrong. Collin, humorous and attentive (can't wait to read more about him). And Bennet, tall, dark, & handsome :P, with a personality I'm looking forward to learning about in full.

The plot was as exciting as the characters. It was filled with mystery, action & adventure, romance, and wisdom for all, young and old.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Follow Jody Hedlund's board Novel: An Uncertain Choice on Pinterest.

Noble Knights / Prequel to An Uncertain Choice

Today's book is The Vow, the prequel to An Uncertain Choice, by Jody Hedlund. I'm glad that I bought The Vow and An Uncertain Choice at the same time because it would have been difficult to have to wait to find out the rest of Rosemarie's story. Next week when I post my review on An Uncertain Choice I plan to post another Time in the Limelight! Exciting, right? :) They're one of my favorite things to share on this blog.

Another new desktop background available under this link. :)

By the way, The Vow and An Uncertain Choice are on sale for free and $1.99, respectively. I'm sure that's a highlight of your week. It was to mine.

Countdown to the first day of Summer: 9 days :D

Book Title: The Vow
Series: Noble Knights (Prequel to An Uncertain Choice)
Author: Jody Hedlund

Description:
In this historical romance novella by Jody Hedlund, young Rosemarie finds herself drawn to Thomas, the son of the nearby baron. But just as her feelings begin to grow, a man carrying the Plague interrupts their hunting party. While in forced isolation, Rosemarie begins to contemplate her future—could it include Thomas? Could he be the perfect man to one day rule beside her and oversee her parents’ lands?

Then Rosemarie is summoned back to her castle in haste. The disease has spread, and her family is threatened. And the secret she discovers when she returns could change her future forever.

My Review:
What a great prequel to An Uncertain Choice. Definitely exciting enough for you to feel that "you just have to read the next book"! In just fifty-one pages Jody Hedlund develops a well-written, interesting plot. You can picture the surroundings and atmosphere perfectly.

I absolutely love the medieval era; have since the age of seven when I first studied it in school. This book, and the next, have been added to my favorite medieval reads. I'm so glad Jody Hedlund endeavored to write YA medieval books. Once you've read them, I'm sure you'll feel the same.

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(This rating is kind of based off An Uncertain Choice as well. Without it The Vow wouldn't have been complete.)

New Releases: In Good Company

For all of you who have read After a Fashion, the first book in the Ladies of Distinction Series, I'm sure you've been dying to read this book. I know I was! :)

Enjoy another week of June!

Book Title: In Good Company
Publication Date: July 7, 2015
Publisher: Bethany House

Description:
After growing up as an orphan, Millie Longfellow is determined to become the best nanny the East Coast has ever seen. Unfortunately, her playfulness and enthusiasm aren't always well-received and she finds herself dismissed from yet another position.

Everett Mulberry has quite unexpectedly become guardian to three children that scare off every nanny he hires. About to depart for Newport, Rhode Island, for the summer, he's desperate for competent childcare.

At wit's end with both Millie and Everett, the employment agency gives them one last chance--with each other. As Millie falls in love with her mischievous charges, Everett focuses on achieving the coveted societal status of the upper echelons. But as he investigates the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of the children's parents, will it take the loss of those he loves to learn whose company he truly wants for the rest of his life?

My Review:
I had been looking forward to reading this book since I read the first one of the series, After a Fashion. Everett and Millie seemed like an unlikely couple because they could never get along and yet you knew that were perfect for each other.

I started this book with high hopes because I expect great things from Jen Turano, she is after all one of my favorite authors :), and I'm pleased to report that it definitely met my expectations! Authors are one of the most imaginative people. Most people can imagine things in their mind but it takes a special and talented person to be able to convey them onto paper. Jen Turano is definitely one of those. How she comes up with all the predicaments that her characters find themselves in I'll never know. In Good Company has humor, adventure, romance, and a Christian message. What more could you ask for?! :D

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Note: I received this book through NetGalley. http://netgalley.com