From the desk of Sophia Rose: With only one other experience reading Mimi Matthew’s work, I have still come to the conclusion that she has a gift for marrying the classical to vintage historical romance. I hadn’t gotten five chapters in before my head was full of Alexander Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo or... Continue Reading →
Jane in Love: A Novel, by Rachel Givney — A Review
From the desk of Sophia Rose: Australian filmmaker, and debut writer, Rachel Givney brings us a whimsical time travel romantic adventure for none other than Jane Austen herself with her new novel, Jane in Love. Â What does the twenty-first century have to teach this well-loved author? Equally important, what does Miss Jane have to teach... Continue Reading →
An Ivy Hill Christmas: A Tales from Ivy Hill Novella, by Julie Klassen—A Review
From the desk of Sophia Rose: We return once again to a snug English village tucked away along a coaching road and this time the holiday season brings more than Christmas cheer. The Tales of Ivy Hill are an interrelated series of inspirational historical romances by bestselling author Julie Klassen that bring a whole village... Continue Reading →
Who Speaks for the Damned: A Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery (Book 15), by C.S. Harris, narrated by Davina Porter — A Review
From the desk of Sophia Rose: Over a decade ago, CS Harris released the first in a long-standing series of Regency Era historical mysteries featuring an aristocratic detective who starts out as the suspect solving his first crime to a renowned amateur detective in his own right. That book, What Angels Fear, introduced a complex... Continue Reading →
Georgiana: Pride & Prejudice Continued (Book 3), by Sue Barr — A Review
From the desk of Sophia Rose: I have been aware of Sue Barr’s work since she released the first book in her Pride and Prejudice Continued series, Caroline. My curiosity was aroused when she chose to continue Austen’s classic story with the memorable side character and didn’t hesitate to redeem Caroline Bingley and give her... Continue Reading →
All Stirred Up: A Novel, by Brianne Moore — A Review
From the desk of Sophia Rose: A modern-day Persuasion retelling set in Edinburgh against the backdrop of the high-end restaurant world. What could be more delicious? I eagerly picked up this book by a debut author who knows her way around a professional kitchen and resided in Edinburgh. It was quite obvious the author made... Continue Reading →
Someone to Romance: The Westcott Series (Book 8), by Mary Balogh—A Review
From the desk of Sophia Rose: I discovered Mary Balogh’s tender, relationship-driven historical romances by browsing a book shop about a decade ago. The cover of her book merely depicted a landscape, but I recognized the possibilities of a new to me Regency-era author who did indeed pay attention to the details of the historical... Continue Reading →
Rebellion at Longbourn: A Pride and Prejudice Variation, by Victoria Kincaid—A Review
From the desk of Sophia Rose: What is left to a woman when by law she is at the mercy of an incompetent, oafish cousin? Why, a quiet rebellion, of course! Victoria Kincaid has authored many lively Pride and Prejudice variations and retellings over the years which I have thoroughly enjoyed. While respecting Jane Austen... Continue Reading →
Murder at Northanger Abbey: Sequel to Jane Austen’s Spoof on the Gothic Novel, by Shannon Winslow — A Review
From the desk of Sophia Rose: Do you ever read a book and enjoy it to such an extent that your mind continues to dwell on the characters, and you imagine your own continuation of the story? If that story is Northanger Abbey, then it is no stretch to imagine that the heroine, Catherine Morland,... Continue Reading →
Recipe for Persuasion: A Novel, by Sonali Dev — A Review
From the desk of Sophia Rose: Jane Austen’s Persuasion gets a modern facelift Desi-style in this standalone sequel to Sonali Dev’s 2019, Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavors, as Indian American chef, Ashna Raje, and Brazilian footballer, Rico Silva, encounter each other once again as acrimonious cooking partners on a reality TV show. I love that... Continue Reading →
The Other Bennet Sister: A Novel, by Janice Hadlow—A Review
From the desk of Sophia Rose: The oft-forgotten of the five Bennet sisters who may have been a reader’s source of amusement or irritation, engendered pity or magnanimous sympathy comes endearingly alive in Janice Hadlow’s gentle opus to Mary, the other sister who must follow a very different path to happiness. The Other Bennet Sister... Continue Reading →
The Jane Austen Dating Agency: An Uplifting Romantic Comedy, by Fiona Woodifield—A Review
From the desk of Sophia Rose: Can a Jane Austen-themed dating agency do anything about a floundering career woman’s life- ahem love life? With trepidation and not just a few sharp pokes in the back from her friend, Sophie Johnson, long-time Jane Austen lover, and dreamer of finding her own Mr. Darcy is about to... Continue Reading →