Early Audio review: The Duke is back - Valerie Bowman

Narrated by: Mary Sarah

Series: The Footmen's Club, Book 6

Length: 6 hrs and 26 mins

Release date: 09-27-22

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Historical romance/to review

Philip suffers from severe ptsd, and on top of that his brother suddenly dies. Yes something is fishy and he wants the truth. S.o he comes out of hiding, since everyone thought he was dead too. Ok so I get why he had to hide, but all those poor people who thought he was dead!

And there is where the drama lies. Sophie loved him,he went to war, she thought he was dead. Her family pressured her to get engaged. To his cousin, oh the drama.

And she is pissed when he comes back. Like who wouldn't. What where you thinking Philip!?

He wants her, but he has issues. She does still love him, but so much is in the way.

There is a murderer to catch, and danger ahead of them. It was a short book, but it packed romance, danger and more. A nice story. They both deserved some happiness.

This was my second book with this narrator in a row, funny how that happened. It was fun listening to another one by her

Miss Sophie Payton might be engaged, but she’s not in love. The only man who ever captured her heart was Phillip Grayson—a soldier who was slain a year ago. But when her stepmother decrees that Sophie will marry Phillip’s cousin, the new Duke of Harlowe, Sophie’s in no position to refuse.

The ton thinks Phillip Grayson died a hero on the battlefields of Europe, but he’s very much alive. While he spent the last year recuperating from his grave injuries in secret at his friend’s estate, his brother was murdered, his cousin took over the title of duke, and the woman he loved—the one he dreamed of every night—apparently moved on without him.

Phillip has returned to London intent on reclaiming his brother’s title and making the people who killed him pay. He doesn’t understand how Sophie could have betrayed him; she can’t forgive him for letting her believe he was dead. And yet neither can deny that the attraction between them burns hotter than ever. Nothing is as it seems, but perhaps the truth can save them…if it doesn’t kill them first.

Audio review: The mistress of Longbourn

Narrated by: Mary Sarah

Length: 16 hrs and 5 mins

Release date: 09-13-22

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Pride and prejudice variation /to review

I do love pride and prejudice variations. This one starts out darker than most, sickness ravages the Bennet family and left standing is Lizzy and Kitty. Luckily Longbourn is not longer entailed so she becomes the mistress of Longbourn.

I liked this take on things. Lizzy was different, and when it was just her and Kitty things turned out differently too. For example she met Darcy and they did not clash. Something grew there instead.

The author also perfected the other characters. Yes I could totally see Bingley like that. Could Caroline be more of a bitch?! What, omg Mr Collins, yes yes. Wickham, grrr, he is totally that.

It gets really nailbiting at the end too, something is about to happen, and I was on the edge of my seat.

Fun, different take on Pride and prejudice. I just can't get enough.

Good narrator, I am not sure I have listened to her before, but I liked her style. It felt fitting with this universe

A change in the circumstances of the entail on Longbourn leaves Elizabeth Bennet as the mistress of Longbourn, beholden to no one. Though the tragedy which has left her with only one sister of her immediate family, Elizabeth heals, in time, and she takes up the affairs of the estate with a flair her father never quite possessed. But estate ownership has its own trials, for it makes Elizabeth the target of those who might otherwise have seen her for nothing than a pretty vivacious girl.

When the Netherfield party comes to the area, they find a small family at Longbourn, an Elizabeth who has been changed by the burdens of estate ownership, and with a younger sister who has grown much, but is young enough to be infatuated by a handsome face. To further muddy the waters, George Wickham always looking out for a way to live an easy life, and a country parson, offended that his father was passed up for the estate arrive to make Elizabeth’s life more difficult. It will take all her fortitude to withstand the men vying for her attention, hold to her principles, and marry only for love, now that she has the means.

But Elizabeth, knowing now that she does not have to marry, must also recognize that love when it finds her. For in this world, nothing is perfect, and looking for perfection might see true love pass her by.

TMST

 

 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

9/20/2022 For audiobook listeners: what hobby do you enjoy while listening?

I like to listen to audiobooks when out walking...and well that is it. No other hobby. My audiotime is walking, cleaning, I tried listening in my car, but that is hard since bad hearing in one ear. Cooking did not work cos my listening speed is so high. I need to be relaxed to follow along.

9/27/2022 Do you follow your favourite authors on social media? Do you interact with them?

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

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Carole's Monday: The woman of the wall

Author: Robin Rivers

Title: Woman On The Wall

Series: The Sibylline Chronicles #1

Genre: Historical Fiction & Mystery

Format: paperbook

Pages: 392

Published: September 6, 2022

Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Summary: 

For 500 years, the once powerful Order of the Sibylline has kept the identity of its future prophetess hidden in the most famous painting in the world. Amid the chaos of post-World War II France, one woman discovers their ancient secret and its ability to transform a fragmented world.

PARIS 1945

A BRILLIANT, DEVOTED, AND DRIVEN PALEOGRAPHER …

After 480 days as a Nazi political prisoner, Dr. Marie Guerrant returns to Paris to repatriate the Mona Lisa and find her daughter. When a British Colonel arrives claiming he needs her French Resistance connections to find the lost painting, which she helped hide seven years earlier, distrust is high. Tipped off about her daughter's involvement and the Colonel's obsessive belief that the Mona Lisa contains the identity of a modern-day Sibyl prophetess, Marie must risk her life to save her daughter and the masterpiece from men consumed by controlling destiny.

AMBOISE, FRANCE 1519

A BRAVE, BOLD, AND POTENT PROPHETESS …

On the eve of rising as the Sibyl of Amboise, Aesmeh de la Rose must rely on her visions to find Leonardo da Vinci after he and the Mona Lisa disappear from his workshop at Clos Lucé. The precious painting and its creator cannot be lost or the ancient Sibylline Order faces extermination after more than 1000 years of rebuilding their powerful matriarchy. Torn between duty and love, Aesmeh must tap into an ancient alchemy in a race to keep the Order safe. But, an unspeakable betrayal forces her to make an unfathomable choice to secure the future of the Sibylline.

This rich alternate history binds two women beyond time, each fighting to restore sight to a world blinded by the power and control of men. The fate of the world rests on their courage to reclaim the ancient feminine powers of the Sibylline. Woman on the Wall is a sweeping fantastical tale of intrigue and hope for humanity that fuels imagination and curiosity.

Review:

Couldn't resist this one! What a cool concept and I adore the cover. 

For 500 years, the once powerful Order of the Sibylline has kept the identity of its future prophetess hidden in the most famous painting in the world. One woman will discover their ancient secret. This woman is named Marie Guerrant. It is 1945 and she has survived being a prisoner by the Nazis. She returns to Paris and will risk her life to save her daughter and the masterpiece from men consumed by controlling destiny. In 1519, another woman will be putting her life on the line. Aesmeh de la Rose must rely on her visions to find Leonardo da Vinci and the Mona Lisa after they disappear from his workshop. The fate of the world rests on them.  

Immediately hooked! I literally didn't want to put this down. Grrrrr dumb work and dumb sleep time. 

We have two timelines being told at the same time. One is Aesmeh in 1519 and the other is Marie in 1945. It was so refreshing! Normally authors go the route of modern (21st century) and some other time in the past. It was interesting seeing two completely different time periods here and how they are tied together. 

I felt so bad for Marie. She gets out of one hell and is tossed into a mystery larger than herself. All she wants to do is have a normal life and find her daughter. Poor thing has gone through so much. And then there is Aesmeh. Felt bad for her too. She is on the eve of rising as the Sibyl of Amboise. She finds herself torn in two. But I applaud them and want to be them when I grow up! So brave and smart. I don't think I would want visions like Aesmeh....that seems like too much.

I honestly had no idea what was going to happen and how everything was going to be resolved. 

The ending was good. There was a tiny bit of a cliffhanger though. You can tell there will be more and I am excited about another one. There is for sure more story to tell. The author has left me wanting more!

In the end, I was hooked from page 1! This was certainly an adventure and I hope there will be a book 2 soon. There is more story to tell! Art, mystery, action, and magic. This was a lot of fun and I can see this being a good book club book. 5 stars from me.