2 Novella Collections: A Grand Tour & Happily Ever After (Reviews)

A Grand Tour
(Timeless Victorian Collection #2)
by Anthea Lawson, Jennifer Moore, Heather B. Moore
Adult Historical Romance, Novella
ebook, 305 Pages
November 17th 2017 by Mirror Press

Summary

From the publisher of the USA TODAY bestselling Timeless Romance Anthology series, comes our new Victorian Romance line, with A GRAND TOUR.

Three brand new Victorian Romance novellas by Anthea Lawson, Jennifer Moore, and Heather B. Moore.

A LORD’S CHANCE by Anthea Lawson: After her first romance ends in disaster, Miss Isabelle Strathmore vows never to fall in love again. She will travel, certainly, and see the world, but it will be a spinster’s life for her. She has learned the most painful lesson of all—that her heart simply cannot be trusted. Gavin Reed, the Earl of Jasper, is unexpectedly charmed by Isabelle. Past encounters have made him wary of taking a chance on love, but by the end of the Grand Tour, he is determined to make Miss Strathmore his wife. But fate has more in store than either of them guesses. Beneath the Mediterranean sun, can Isabelle and Lord Jasper find their happily ever after before disaster strikes?

FALLING IN ROME by Jennifer Moore: Chaperoning two young women on their grand tour is the opportunity of a lifetime for Eleanor Doyle. Although she’s an expert in many languages, her gender has made further education impossible. If the tour is successful, the young women’s parents have promised her a position at a university in London. Eleanor hopes to instill her charges with a love of Rome, but not until they meet up with a group of young gentlemen and their fascinating professor, Russell Kendrick, do the young ladies show any interest at all. Attraction blossoms between Eleanor and Ken, but Eleanor’s future depends on maintaining propriety. The headstrong charges have other ideas, and Ken and Eleanor will have to decide which is most important, accolades in the academic world, or being with the one they love.

A SECRET ARRANGEMENT by Heather B. Moore: Evelyn Tucker has finally graduated from finishing school, but dreads living with her widowed aunt. On the appointed day, Aunt Margaret comes to collection Evelyn, and Margaret informs her that they’re going on a Grand Tour to spend as much of the estate money they can before a distant cousin inherits all. When Henry Gaiman discovers he’s inherited his distant uncle’s estate, he loathes the thought of returning to England since he’d rather continue with his archaeology dig in Egypt. Return he must, and there, he meets Evelyn, a woman who will change his world in more ways than one.

Books in the Timeless Victorian Collections:
SUMMER HOLIDAY
A GRAND TOUR
THE ORIENT EXPRESS (coming 2018)

(Affiliate links included - I receive a small kickback if you make a purchase using my links.)

Other Books in the Series


My Review

A GRAND TOUR is a truly enjoyable collection of three stories where the English heroines are touring the world and find unexpected love. The historical settings come alive as do these characters, pulling the reader in. Highly recommended to sweet historical romance readers!

A LORD’S CHANCE by Anthea Lawson: I loved this story! I loved the characters and how they find themselves attracted to each other against their best intentions. They are characters I love on their own, but putting them together as a couple is even better. Great dialogue, fabulous chemistry, and some brilliant humor as well. I'll be looking for more from this author.

FALLING IN ROME by Jennifer Moore: It's not often that these stories involve older (not really that old - just in their thirties) characters, but I found it to be a fun change. The story was paced well and little by little these characters became better acquainted and I fell for them as they did so. It's a very sweet story and I enjoyed it from beginning to end.

A SECRET ARRANGEMENT by Heather B. Moore: This story was unexpected in the way these characters first meet, in the leading man being an archaeologist with no interest in romance, and how they end up falling for each other. There was some drama when Henry didn't realize how selfish and foolish he was being instead of seeing others for who they are and what they want. There was more at play than just his life and he had to redeem himself. Thank goodness, he did. Another delightful read from this author!

In the end, was it what I wished for? I really loved these stories! They were all interesting in their historical settings, had wonderful characters, swoon-worthy moments, and happily-ever-afters. Just what I was looking for.

Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy through ebooksforreview.com, which did not require a positive review nor affect it in any way.

Happily Ever After
(A Timeless Romance Anthology)
by Jessica Day George, Julie Wright, Annette Lyon, Heather B. Moore, Sarah M. Eden, Julie Daines
Adult Romance, Fantasy, Fairy Tales, Novella
Paperback & ebook, 404 Pages
October 24th 2017 by Mirror Press

Summary

From the publisher of the USA TODAY bestselling & #1 Amazon bestselling Timeless Romance Anthology series in Clean Romance, comes HAPPILY EVERY AFTER COLLECTION.

Six brand new fairy tale romance novellas by Jessica Day George, Julie Wright, Sarah M. Eden, Julie Daines, Heather B. Moore, and Annette Lyon.

MAIL-ORDER PRINCESS by Jessica Day George: Elise flees her small kingdom and arrives in the New World with only her two trunks and seven swans—her seven brothers to be exact. But Elise will do anything to get her brothers away from their cruel stepmother’s curse, even if it means accepting the long-distance marriage proposal to a former count turned farmer. 

THE MILLER’S DAUGHTER by Julie Wright: When Isa meets Thomas Rumple, she is quickly infatuated with his good looks and natural charm, until she learns his true identity. Due to a wild claim by her insufferable father, Isa’s life is threatened by the king if she can’t spin a room full of straw into gold, and Thomas may be the only one who can save her. 

THE PEBBLED PATH by Sarah M. Eden: Deep in the heart of a mysterious forest, Gretel trades her freedom to save her beloved father from the spell of an evil enchantress. Even attempting to escape would cost her father his life. Gretel’s determination to fulfill her promise wavers when she meets Hansel, a young man who captures her heart. For, she loves him too dearly to put his life in danger, and he loves her too much to simply leave her to her fate.

BLACK FERN by Julie Daines: Rós is desperate to find work in order to care for her ailing father and younger sisters. She applies to the mysterious owner of a crumbling castle and is soon swept up in dark secrets. Unsure if the owner of the castle is man or beast, Rós determines to help him at all cost. She soon discovers that the cost may be too great, even for her.

SCARLET by Heather B. Moore: When Scarlet needs to fetch a healing tonic on the night when the wolves are at their most dangerous, she has no choice but to apply to her nemesis, August, for help. He agrees to help her, but they encounter a pack of wolves that put up a fierce fight, marking Scarlet as their newly targeted prey. 

SO RARE A POWER by Annette Lyon: Stella knows she’s taking a risk each time she meets Patrick in the rose garden that they’ve cultivated together. And no matter how much her mother will disapprove of their relationship, Stella can’t deny her feelings for him. When the Snow Queen steals away Patrick to drain him of his powers of creating beauty and life, Stella must decide what she’s willing to risk to rescue him.

(Affiliate links included - I receive a small kickback if you make a purchase using my links.)

Other Books in the Series

Check out my reviews of the other books I've read in the collection:
Valentine's Day Collection (A Timeless Romance Anthology Book 19)Blind Date Collection (A Timeless Romance Anthology Book 18)A Timeless Romance Anthology: Mail Order Bride Collection
Under the Mistletoe Collection (A Timeless Romance Anthology Book 14)A Timeless Romance Anthology: All Hallow's EveA Timeless Romance Anthology: Annette Lyon Collection
Silver Bells Collection (A Timeless Romance Anthology)A Timeless Romance Anthology: Summer in New York CollectionA Timeless Romance Anthology: All Regency CollectionA Timeless Romance Anthology: California Dreamin' Collection

My Review

HAPPILY EVER AFTER is such a nice addition to the other collections in this line, with a fairy-tale or fantasy element to each of these stories. Each story takes a classic fairy tale and gives it a marvelous spin. Those who enjoy a bit of the fantastical, will enjoy these stories immensely!

MAIL-ORDER PRINCESS by Jessica Day George: I wasn't quite sure about this one initially because of the complex situation, but as the story went on, it grew on me. I should have never doubted, due to who the author is. I loved how the intensity of the story steadily grew through the whole story and gave a very satisfying climatic end, that was equally sweet. I really enjoyed it!

THE MILLER’S DAUGHTER by Julie Wright: I loved the play off of words and names in this historical retelling of Rumplestiltskin. There was a strong element of danger that kept the story moving and a very sweet ending. Overall, an enjoyable read.

THE PEBBLED PATH by Sarah M. Eden: Oh, this was such a fun twist on Hansel and Gretel! I loved the characters and I loved how they slowly got to know each other and then work through the problem of the old witch. Loved it!

BLACK FERN by Julie Daines: This, hands down, was my favorite story from this collection. I loved every single minute of it! I'm sure it helped that I love the story of Beauty and the Beast and all the retellings I've read. I really loved these characters and how well the author made simple gestures be so meaningful. It pulled on my emotions. I would definitely read this one again!

SCARLET by Heather B. Moore: This was my next favorite story from this collection, but just barely. I loved, loved the characters! There was also some fabulous chemistry and great moments. I'd re-read this one as well.

SO RARE A POWER by Annette Lyon: This is a retelling of The Snow Queen. This story has always needed quite a bit of withholding belief and reality to make the story work, so it's more difficult to tell. I liked this version and especially loved the end.

In the end, was it what I wished for? I enjoyed each one of these stories and really loved two of them. If you love classic fairy tales and their retellings, then definitely grab this collection!

Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy through ebooksforreview.com, which did not require a positive review nor affect it in any way.

Have you read either of these or other collections in their book lines?

No comments

Post a Comment

I love comments! I try to read and reply to them all. Feel free to agree or disagree and generally share your thoughts with me.