Review + Giveaway: A Perfect Secret by Donna Hatch

Title: A Perfect Secret by Donna Hatch 
Publisher: 
Publication Date: October 22nd, 2013 
Paperback/Hardcover: 229 
Genre: Historical Romance 
Find it at: Goodreads 

Summary:  
Desperate to protect her father from trial and death, Genevieve breaks off her engagement with Christian Amesbury and marries a blackmailer. After a year of marriage, she flees her husband's violent domination only to have fate bring her back to Christian. Just when she thinks she's started a new life of safety and solitude, her husband tracks her down, stalks her, and threatens everyone she loves. 
Still brokenhearted over Genevieve's betrayal a year ago, Christian can't believe she's come back into his life--and worse, that she's done it on the anniversary of his brother's death, a death that haunts him. Though tempted to throw her back into the river where he found her, he can't leave her at the mercy of the terrifying man she married. 
When her husband torments Genevieve and puts his family in danger, Christian will do anything to protect those he loves...anything except give Genevieve another chance to break his heart

Review:   
I have received this book as part of a book tour in exchange of an honest review.
I enjoyed the previous books in this series so I was curious to see what would happen in this book.  
Christian is in love with Genevieve but when he decides to propose she suddenly marries another man. Christian decides that the best course of action is to close his heart off so he won’t get hurt again.
A year later Genevieve enters his life again, and this time she is hiding from her husband.
I really liked Christian in the other books so I really wanted him to get his chance at a happy ending.
I have to say there’s real tension and problems between Christian and Genevieve and their relationship is not an easy one. Christian quite obviously loved Genevieve and I enjoyed reading about them meeting again and having to deal with past decisions and learn how to trust each other.
I might not have liked this book as much as I liked the previous two but I still enjoyed it quite a lot. Donna Hatch definitely knows how to create an interesting story that’s able to keep me interested.
All in all, A Perfect Secret is a good read. The book is very well-written and the characters and situations they find themselves in very interesting.
I can’t wait to read the next book in the series now.
If you enjoy a good, clean historical romance, you should give this series a try!

Rating:   Worth Your Time (4 Stars)

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Review - The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap by Paulette Mahurin

Title and Author: The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap by Paulette Mahurin
Publisher:
Publication Date: January 1st, 2012

Paperback/Hardcover: 2012

Genre: Historical,

Find it at: Goodreads /

Summary:
The year 1895 was filled with memorable historical events: the Dreyfus Affair divided France; Booker T. Washington gave his Atlanta address; Richard Olney, United States Secretary of State, expanded the effects of the Monroe Doctrine in settling a boundary dispute between the United Kingdom and Venezuela; and Oscar Wilde was tried and convicted for gross indecency under Britain’s recently passed law that made sex between males a criminal offense. When news of Wilde’s conviction went out over telegraphs worldwide, it threw a small Nevada town into chaos. This is the story of what happened when the lives of its citizens were impacted by the news of Oscar Wilde’s imprisonment. It is a chronicle of hatred and prejudice with all its unintended and devastating consequences, and how love and friendship bring strength and healing.

Review: 

I have received this book from the author in exchange of an honest review.

In 1985 Oscar Wilde was tried and convicted for gross indecency under Britain’s recently passed law that made sex between males a criminal offense. When that news reaches a small town in Nevada, chaos erupts.

In this book we meet several characters from a small town in Nevada. These are all very interesting and intriguing characters and the story revolves around them and the prejudices they held on to. The events of this book happen in 1895, the year when Oscar Wilde is found guilty and sent to jail for gross indecency, that is, for being caught with another man. As that news reaches the town it reacts and the readers get to know Mildred Dunlap, Edra and Charley and join them in their attempts to go on with their lives even when they are being persecuted because of their actions and choices.

The historical atmosphere is very well-written and allows the story to unfold perfectly. As you might have guessed the book is about gossip and prejudice against same sex relationships and the persecution of people who engaged in them.

I think the author did a great job telling a story about hatred and intolerance and how those feelings affect the people they target.

There’s a great message in this book: tolerance is needed and friendships should be cultivated and kept.

All in all, I really enjoyed this story and thought the stories about the people in town were very interesting. This is well-written story about an important topic with good characters, some of whom you would like and others not so much.

This is a story about intolerance and prejudice that I think any historical fan might enjoy. 

Rating: Worth Your Time (4 Stars)

Review - Whip Smart by Kit Brennan

Title and Author: Whip Smart by Kit Brennan 
Publisher: Astor + Blue Editions LLC 
Publication Date: January 1st, 2013 
Paperback/Hardcover: 274 
Genre: Historical, Mysery 
Find it at: Goodreads / Amazon

 

Summary:  
A wild and sexy romp through history based on the real-life adventures of the audacious, Lola Montez. It is 1842, London, and the gorgeous, ever-capricious 22-year-old Eliza Gilbert, (aka Lola Montez) is in deep trouble and seeks escape from a divorce trial. Desperate to be free, Lola accepts an alluring offer of a paid trip to Spain, if she will only fulfill a few tasks for Juan de Grimaldi—a Spanish theatre impresario who is also a government agent and spy for the exiled Spanish queen, Maria Cristina. Lola soon finds herself in Madrid, undercover as a performer in a musical play. But when she falls dangerously in love with the target, General Diego de Léon, Lola becomes a double agent and the two hatch a plot of their own. Disaster strikes when the plot is exposed, Diego is captured, and Lola is forced to flee on horseback to France, with a dangerous group of Loyalists in hot pursuit.

   
Review: 

I have received this book from the author/publisher in exchange of an honest review.
First of all, don’t be fooled by the cover. This is not an erotic book. I know some people thought it was when they saw the cover but it really isn’t.
Whip Smart is the story of Eliza Gilbert aka Lila Montez and how in 1842 receives a proposition to spy on the Spanish royalty. As she becomes a spy she finds herself in the middle of a dangerous political turmoil.
Lola is a good main character. She’s impulsive, strong and bold and feels like she doesn’t exactly fit in a restrictive world. I really liked her enjoyed reading about her adventures.
The story is fast-paced and interesting and there’s never a dull moment. There’s also a romance that I quite enjoyed.
I had never heard of Lola Montez before but she was definitely a real person that lived in the 19^th century. Whether she was spy or not, is debatable of course, but I enjoyed reading and finding out more about her.
All in all, Whip Smart is an interesting book with lots of suspense, danger and some romance. The book is well-written and the characters and situations intriguing.
If you enjoyed a good historical book with an espionage element, you might want to give this book a try!

Rating: Worth Your Time (4 Stars)

Review - The Your Heart Will Be Also by Felicia Rogers

Title and Author: There Your Heart Will Be Also by Felicia Rogers

Publisher: Astraea Press

Publication Date: October 20th, 2011

Paperback/Hardcover:

Genre: Historical Romance

Summary:

Only daughter of an English lord, Sarra of Greenbriar, is used to getting her way. So when her father passes and the King begins sending suitors, she feels justified in taking matters into her own hands. Through a series of harmless pranks, Sarra works to keep the potential husbands at bay.
Cedric MacNeil is a Scotsman that has lost it all. Death claimed his parents and jealousy claimed his entitled position as Laird of his clan. Since his mother was a familiar of the English court, he leaves his native land and heads to England to fight on behalf of the English King. Tournaments are won, earning honor and glory for the crown. Cedric’s reward is the opportunity to gain what he wants most in this life, land.
But as he gets to know Sarra, he realizes he might get more than he bargained for.

Review:

I received There Your Heart Will Be Also from the author in exchange of an honest review and it turned out to be a delightful historical book.

As the only daughter of an English Lord Sarra is used to getting what she wants so when her father dies and the King starts sending suitors her way she’s sure she can handle it and take matters into her on hands.

When a Scottish nobleman named Cedric comes along, Sarra’s plans might just backfire, though.

I found this book to be very entertaining. The characters and setting are great and the author is able to make the readers feel like they really are in 16^th century England.

I liked the main characters and thought they were strong and believable as well. The plot and action in the story developed well.

All in all this is a great read for any historical romance fans. The book is well-written and the story is able to keep you entertained and interested. 

Rating: Worth Your Time ( 4 Stars)

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