A Stranger at Fellsworth

I love it when you find an absolutely charming and heart-warming series of novels that you can follow from beginning to end. A Treasure of Surrey series from Sarah E. Ladd is perfect of fans of Christian Historical Romance genres and in A Stranger at Fellsworth is the third book in series. Annabelle Thorley is at the end of her rope when she learns that her brother Thomas intends to marry her off to Mr. Bartwell in order to pay off his debts and keep the estate at which she has been living from being sold out from underneath them. In a world where women retain little and have no rights to inheritances, her only hope is to marry into a suitable family, but she isn't the slightest bit interested in Mr. Bartwell. Her brother will do whatever it takes to ensure the marriage takes place. With no other suitable options remaining Annabelle decides that leaving is the best option.

She meets Owen Locke, a gamekeeper in town when her reticule is almost stolen on the streets by a former friend who has fallen on hard times herself and in the situation, Annabelle sees a mirror image of what will happen to her if she doesn't leave home or even worse if she doesn't marry Mr. Bartwell. She makes arrangements with Owen to secure her safe coach passage to her Aunt and Uncle's home at Fellsworth, Owen's employer and puts all her hope that they will allow her to stay despite spending only a fair amount of her childhood with them. She makes a deal with her lady's maid to accompany her to Fellsworth and once there, she can start a new life for herself as well since she won't have the funds to continue to keep her.

Owen wasn't hoping to catch Annabelle in his sights when he arrived in town, but if he can make restitution through assisting her to Fellsworth and away from her brother and Mr. Bartwell, perhaps he can feel better about his own failed efforts to save his wife from being murdered. He doesn't want the same outcome for her and even goes to great lengths to ensure her safety without compromising her reputation. Her Aunt and Uncle are thrilled to have her move home, but it won't be anything close to her former life. While remaining on the Fellsworth property, she will live in the school quarters and take a job as a Junior teacher for the students that they support. Is this life worth living home for or is there something more in her future?

I received A Stranger at Fellsworth by Sarah E. Ladd compliments of Net Galley and Thomas Nelson Publishers.In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, you should assume that every book reviewed here at Reviews From The Heart was provided to the reviewer by the publisher, media group or the author for free and were received, unless specified otherwise.  I love this conclusion to the Treasures of Surrey because each of the novels can stand alone. I love the strength and courage it took Annabelle to walk away from her life of comfort without knowing what her future held. In a time in history where women had few rights, it took fortitude to put her faith on the line and hope that her former family ties might just be the future she needed. The romance between Owen and Annabelle is wonderful because it happens slowly over the time they spend with one another and the relationship Annebelle builds with Hannah, his daughter teaching her to paint. I easily give this novel a 5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about A Stranger at Fellsworth, Sarah E. Ladd or where you can pre-order a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

A Stranger at Fellsworth by Sarah E. Ladd

You can find Sarah E. Ladd on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on A Stranger at Fellsworth, please visit Thomas Nelson Publisher's website. 

Royally Roma

I have to open this review up with the following disclosure that based on my own reviewer criteria and looking for great wholesome books that readers won't have to be shocked to read when it contains material that wouldn't ordinarily read in their selection of novels. That could be sexual content, profanity or anything you wish you could be advised of before picking up a novel and reading or purchasing it based on the premise on the back.

With Royally Roma by Teri Wilson, the premise of a private tour guide, Julia Costa, who unknowingly picks up Niccolo La Torre, Crown Price of Lazaretto for the day. It isn't until she presents him with her bill, that he attempts to sneak out of the hotel until she catches him and vows that until she gets paid, she isn't leaving his side. Sounds like something the Hallmark Channel might produce, until you read the novel. I was so hoping for just that, a wholesome novel about this quirky premise that lends some humor along with romance. The setting is perfect as well as the whole idea until you actually beginning reading the book.

What shocked me was that Teri Wilson's other novel Unleashing Mr. Darcy IS a Hallmark Original movie and she is in development for two other films. So where did this novel go wrong? The idea that one man's escapes about being with an entire women's swimming team is now front page news in London and the opening chapter of the book, has Julia waking up with a naked prince in her bed. All he thinks about is his next romance with an attractive female and when Julia shows up mistaking him as her private tour, he finds the idea intriguing of removing himself from all the royal scheduling that has been planned for him. Most of the story line is geared to what each of them think of the other in terms of more than just physical attraction and that is where I lost interest in this. You have Niccolo who loves to drink while entertaining his thoughts about Julia. It is all that he thinks about and that gets downright irritating.

I felt that its fine to let the reader know that both characters are initially attracted to one another, but it is as if every single paragraph alludes to the sexual attraction towards one another.There are some sex scenes that I can't believe Hallmark would include if this were to be made into a film. That is beyond tiresome to read over and over again. In fact one such comment from the press release states that this novel "is an enchanting retelling of the classic Audrey Hepburn film Roman Holiday." Yet this novel comes far from accomplishing that. I would have preferred to have a more classic version I guess with far less content dealing with each characters fascination with the other when it comes to romance. For me this one just fell flat with a 3.5 out of 5 stars in my opinion. I received Royally Roma by Teri Wilson compliments of Pocket Star books, a division of Simon and Schuster Publishers. In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, you should assume that every book reviewed here at Reviews From The Heart was provided to the reviewer by the publisher, media group or the author for free and were received, unless specified otherwise.

For more information about Royally Roma, Teri Wilson or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Royally Roma by Teri Wilson

You can find Teri Wilson on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Royally Roma, please visit Simon and Schuster's website. 

Smurfs: The Lost Village Movie Ticket Giveaway

Growing up my childhood always contained memories of the Smurfs! It was something I loved to watch and now and super excited it is available for another generation to enjoy. If you have ever watched it, we know that the Smurfs are blue characters under the sage old wisdom of Papa Smurf and each Smurf has their own unique set of characteristics much like we do. They live in a forest that is constantly under siege by Gargamel, an adult that longs to capture the Smurfs.

In Smurfs: The Lost Village by Sony Pictures it alludes that the original Smurfs, might not be the only ones in existence and gives them hope that more Smurfs exist if they are able to find them. I think in the world today, we all need a whole lot more hope.

The movie hits the big screen on April 7th and I have a wonderful surprise in store for 2 lucky readers of this blog post or social media feed. You have the opportunity to win two tickets (via Fandango codes for redemption) to see Smurfs: Lost Village any time on the weekend between Friday, April 7th and Sunday, April 16th. You can not use the codes to see another movie.

You can view more details about Smurfs: The Lost Village by visiting the website directly at (http://www.smurfsmovie.com) as well as view downloadable content, coloring pages for your kids, recipes, and even instructions on how to draw a Smurf along with so much more. You can even purchase your tickets on the website as well.

For more information about the Smurfs: The Lost Village, how to get tickets, or more information about the movie, please click on the links below:

Smurfs: The Lost Village by Sony Animation Pictures

You can find the Smurfs: The Lost Village on Facebook to stay up to date on all the latest movie information and fun.

Now the fun giveaway part. To win a pair of tickets (Fandango Ticket Codes) to go see the Smurfs: The Lost Village courtesy of Sony Pictures, here's what you need to do:

1. "Like" The Smurfs Movie Facebook page. 

2. Share this post either via social media like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or others like personal blogs or other sites and post you link in the comment section below.

3. Leave me a comment below along with how you shared this giveaway and DON'T forget to include your email address. I will need it to email you the Fandango codes if you are the lucky winner of the giveaway. You can even use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols. The giveaway ends on April 7th, so the more you share, the more times you can enter to win. Don't forget to post each time you share this post on social media as each time garners you another giveaway entry to win the tickets. Please ensure if you launch your own tweet or post, you use the hashtag #SmurfsMovieL3 in it as well.

The giveaway ends on April 7th, so be sure to share this post to enter as many times as you wish. You can even share every day until then, just make sure you come back and comment with your link so it can be an official entry!

Jett (Descended Book 1)

"The light was no match for him. He could become one with any shadow or light, keeping his presence secret for as long as he wished, causing a man to believe his mind was playing trick. Or he could be the last thing that man saw before he met his Maker. There were prices to be paid for his rare gifts - consequences - but none dissuaded him from his mission." (Prologue).

I must warn you that not all Christian fiction is the same. There are some that might argue that some of those fiction novels might not exactly be all that you hoped for and then again, there are those who persevere to find that at the end of the novel that found something worth waiting for. Jett by Dana Pratola is the first novel in the Descended series and I have to take caution not to give too much away in this review. I can say that those who love Christian speculative or supernatural spiritual warfare might just want to pick up this series. I know after getting through the first one, I am definitely hungry for more. I would say that there moments in the novel that might be uncomfortable for some due to the nature of the content dealing with what Dana refers to as "real people with real struggles, temptations and desires. Her characters often have difficult choices to make – and don’t always make the right ones. This isn’t your mother’s Christian fiction."

In Jett, we met Jett Cestone, a reclusive and highly wealthy and successful businessman who deals with cyber technology as is quite prosperous at it. Yet it provides a cover for him to do his real work, which in this case is removing children from the hands of human sex traffickers with his supernatural abilities he believes he has been cursed with on one hand, but allows him to be successful at his rescues on the other.

He is quite captivated by a young local artist Haven Silano and contacts her to commission her to paint a mural for his grandmother whom has acquired one of her previous paintings as a gift to her. The problem lies in that she must complete the work in his grandmother's bedroom suite and that means moving in to complete the Tuscan piece. She is provided with all the monetary provisions to accomplish the task and is more that well compensated financially to do it. The issue isn't that she isn't talented enough to do it, it is that she lacks the self confidence in her own artistic ability thanks to her father's continued insistence that she is wasting her time doing so.  It will be unlike any job she has every committed to and one that will have her desiring to meet with her benefactor face to face, but it is a condition of her employment that he remains unanimous and hidden. They will only communicate through a speaker system in his home that allows them to converse as if they are actually in the same room with one another, or are they really?

I received Jett by Dana Pratola to review at my own leisure and the opinions expressed here are my own. There is some sexual elements in this novel pertaining to the relationship that develops between Jett and Haven, that might be uncomfortable to some readers but as in real life, exist and is genuine as long as you follow the story line through to the end, you might see where the author truly intended this novel to go. As a mom of young teen girls, I would advise having them wait til they are at least 18 or older to read it. Fans of novels along the lines of Twilight might even find something truly inspirational about reading this one to the very end and if you're like me, will be hooked and have to read the rest in the series. I have been reminded by the author that even though they are part of a series, each is a stand alone and I easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about Jett, Dana Pratola or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Jett (Descended Book 1) by Dana Pratola

You can find Dana Pratola on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

You can find this novel in paperback and eBook formats from Amazon. 

The Blue Hour

I've always been fascinated with historical fiction, especially one written as a backdrop against historical facts, as in this case of the Blue Hour by Vicki Righettini as her debut novel. Yet don't let that dissuade you from venturing forth with our main strong-willed and determined female lead, Emily Wainwright, who at 26 is what society in most parts deems a spinster. Coming from a well-defined family who is financially well off, she wonders what her future will hold for her. As the book opens in a prologue, we understand what will happen to her husband Samuel, and the saga of how she arrived at that point will be covered in the remainder of the novel to catch us up to date on what prompted her decisions to marry Samuel Todd. a man she considers a fine catch for someone of her age.

He manages to convince Emily that her future lies along the same path as his, one that means you can start over again in Oregon as part of a party of wagoners to make their home receiving parcels of land upon venturing out west. For a single man, it is 160 acres but a married man can receive double and so that is the basis for his romancing Emily, only she doesn't know it. She just sees Samuel as the only future prospect she might receive as a husband of a strong-willed and educated woman, thanks to her father who has denied her nothing despite what society deems a proper woman ought to receive. Even though he has strong objections against her marrying Samuel, he knows that Emily is well educated enough to make her own decisions when it comes to her future and that he has very little to fear in sending her off out West.

Yet no matter how much they attempted to plan on what hazards they may face on the Oregon Trail, nothing will prepare them not only for the adversity they will face both in dealing with others on the trail, but the dangers along the way. The only thing she doesn't make plans for is how much life will change Samuel and the small ways his deceptive practices will slowly leak out along the way, causing her to question not only what she will do, but how she will survive such a mean and often times violent man, who has no real love for her, only what she can provide for him until he has everything he wants. Life can be hard enough for someone venturing out West in search of a new future and hope, but when it appears that the man you married isn't the man you thought after all, perhaps the stranger is the one thing she should fear the most.

I received The Blue Hour by Vicki Righettini compliments of Mill City Press and Virtual Author Book Tours. This is such an incredible novel because the author does such an exceptional job at the details to make the story come alive. You find yourself along with Emily as she struggles from trying to understand the basics of cooking over an open flame and dealing with the fact she must walk the entire way, while her husband drives the wagon to avoid overloading the oxen team with any extra weight. Not sure no matter how much I was trying to prepare for that, just that task alone would wear me out, not to mention, dealing with all the duties women had to provide for, from cooking, laundry and moving items in and out of the wagons. For me, this one rated a 4.5 out of 5 stars and will be adding her name next to my must read author's page.

For more information about The Blue Hour, Vicki Righettini or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Blue Hour by Vicki Righettini

You can find Vicki Righettini on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Blue Hour, please visit Virtual Authors Book Tour's website.

Her Secret

When does the word "No," actually mean No. What would you do if you suddenly found yourself at the unwanted attention of a young man who didn't want to accept that answer? How long would you let him persist in trying to change your mind? That is the very premise behind Shelley Shepard Gray's latest novel, Her Secret. It is the first in the Amish of Hart County series and takes the definition of a stalker to a whole new level.

In the Amish world, they prefer to handle anything that comes up within their own communities and without outside intervention from the English world when they can. Perhaps that is just the reason for Trent, a young older English man to push the envelope for Hannah Hilty, a young Amish woman he has more than a passing fancy for. In fact, it has gotten to a dangerous level and finally her parents have agreed to involve notifying the police. But without solid evidence, their hands are tied until something else occurs. That isn't good enough for the Hilty family, so they up and sell their home and farm land in Ohio and move to a much smaller home in Kentucky to begin again.

Unfortunately for Hannah, that has only led to more problems for her, besides being a bit of a recluse due to her former stalker, but now it seems that her own siblings Ben and Jenny have more than just resentment brewing since they too were forced to leave their friends, school and jobs behind on account of Hannah. Lately it seems like just about everyone in the world is against her and she can't seem to find anyone who will understand. That is until she wanders away on a walk to a fishing hole and meets Isaac Troyer who will turn her world completely upside down in ways she never imagined. Yet when the past comes back to haunt her in unexpected ways the danger becomes too close for comfort again.

I received Her Secret by Shelley Shepard Gray compliments of Avon Inspire, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers and Litfuse Publicity. This is such a great premise that goes beyond your typical Amish novels and takes the situation of harassment and shines the light on how some in the Amish community might perceive and handle it. Too often we think that the Amish are immune from the things we face, but they are as real to them as they are to the rest of us. I can't wait for even more in this series as the family settles in Kentucky and a new start for all of them begin. I easily give this novel at 5 out of 5 stars and at the conclusion of this novel are some special features like an author's note, some Q and A's about the Amish, facts about Hart County and great discussion guide questions for book clubs.

For more information about Her Secret, Shelley Shepard Gray, or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Her Secret by Shelley Shepard Gray

You can find Shelley Shepard Gray on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

You can read more reviews on Her Secret by visiting Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour page.

The Elusive Miss Ellison

I can't say for sure what inspired my love for traditional regency romances. Maybe it was Downton Abbey or any of Jane Austen's novels, but I love the life of the ladies of that era. Responsibilities were much different as was a woman's role. Not so much subserviant but one had to hold her tongue and avoid saying what she thought, especially if one held some financial gain that would make her an agreeable match to the right man. It was much different for someone in service, because that was their lot in life and would look for matches in the same line of work as they were. Never did most of those relationships intermix with upper crust and those of servants. That is until Miss Lavinia Ellison, the daughter of the local Reverend and charitable do-gooder among those in the village of St. Hampton Heath in England.

The only way most of the town's residents life would improve was if the new Earl of Hawkesbury took a personal interest of those who serve his estate. Yet one could hardly be expected to answer that call personally even if Lavinia could inspire such a visit or plead her local charity case. However without his necessary funds to make the most basic repairs, it seems as if the revenue the Earl was anticipating would not be as healthy as he would hope.

It is Lavinia who challenges him to see the needs of those who depend on him, that they are not taking advantage of his good intentions and that in the long run, it will only benefit him. But since they come from two very different sets of circumstances, it is hard for them to see past what they only know of their own circumstances. Lavinia is determined to help those she deems less fortunate even if Nicholas, the Earl of Hawkesbury can't or won't. He is trying to see her side of things but unfortunately for Lavinia, he ability to temper her words with grace, doesn't make it easy for Nicholas to hear her truest intentions. Is there hope for either one of them? Time will tell.

I received The Elusive Miss Ellison by Carolyn Miller compliments of Kregel Publications. This is Carolyn Miller's debut novel into the Traditional Regency Romance, and I can tell fans of the genre will absolutely LOVE Lavina Ellison's gumption, grit and sass! The attention to detail instantly transports readers back to Gloucestershire, England of the early 1800's. I can't wait to see what will happen when Nicholas' mother gets a dose of Lavinia to see if she will applaud the girls determination or will issue the ultimatum most mother's made of their sons at that time in history. For me, this one was a welcomed 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information about The Elusive Miss Ellison, Carolyn Miller or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Elusive Miss Ellison by Carolyn Miller

You can find Carolyn Miller on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Elusive Miss Ellison, please visit Kregel Publication's website.