Tag: 4 Star Book Reviews

Austenprose’s Best Austenesque and Historical Novels of 2022

From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress:

Happy New Year Dear Readers!

2022 proved to be a fabulous year in the historical book arena. Of the 51 books that were reviewed here last year by our dedicated staff, several were outstanding and will remain favorites. Here is a list of our highest-rated and most cherished of 2022. Follow each link to read the full review.

Many thanks to my fabulous review staff: Katie Patchell, Tracy Hickman, Sophia Rose, Katie Jackson, and guest reviewer Theresa Smith for their dedication to the historical genre and their passion for reading. Continue reading “Austenprose’s Best Austenesque and Historical Novels of 2022” →

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Death on a Winter Stroll: A Merry Folger Christmas Mystery, by Francine Mathews — A Review

From the desk of Sophia Rose:

There’s always a little thrill of excitement that courses through me when I pick up a new to me series by an author with whom I’m happily familiar. Francine Mathews writes the clever and engaging historical Jane Austen Mysteries and I have long planned to pick up her contemporary Merry Folger Nantucket mysteries. With the added incentive of wintry holiday festivities as backdrop for a murder investigation, I got under my throw beside a cozy fire and let the book take me on the Winter Stroll and into a diverting mystery. Continue reading “Death on a Winter Stroll: A Merry Folger Christmas Mystery, by Francine Mathews — A Review” →

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A Christmas Party: A Seasonal Murder Mystery, by Georgette Heyer — A Review

From the desk of Sophia Rose:

A “Holiday Whodunnit” during a locked door English country house party is always a delicious prospect for me. I eagerly cracked open, A Christmas Party, by the renowned Georgette Heyer. Famous for her Regency romances and historical fiction, she also wrote several contemporary murder mysteries set in the 1930’s to the 1950’s, the golden age of detective fiction. I soon settled in for some enjoyment.

A Colorful Assortment of Guests Continue reading “A Christmas Party: A Seasonal Murder Mystery, by Georgette Heyer — A Review” →

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Godmersham Park: A Novel of the Austen Family, by Gill Hornby — A Review

From the desk of Sophia Rose:  

When tempting this Austen lover with a new book, one merely need mention that it is based on real life figures in Jane Austen’s life, and I am hooked. By making it a governess’ tale with a mysterious past, I am well-nigh bewitched. I settled in eager for Godmersham Park, anticipating Gill Hornby’s thoughtfully considered development of characters, setting, historical context, and engaging plot.

Opening line: Continue reading “Godmersham Park: A Novel of the Austen Family, by Gill Hornby — A Review” →

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Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder: A Miss Morton Mystery (Book 1), by Catherine Lloyd — A Review

From the desk of Barbara Rogers: 

As a huge fan of Catherine Lloyd’s Kurland St. Mary series, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on her latest Victorian mystery series, Miss Morton and the English House Murder.

 A Family Tragedy Changes the Heroine’s Life

Lady Caroline Morton, daughter of the deceased Earl of Morton, is penniless with a tarnished reputation, through no fault of her own. No, not her fault at all, but society tars her and her sister with the Continue reading “Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder: A Miss Morton Mystery (Book 1), by Catherine Lloyd — A Review” →

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A Perilous Perspective: A Lady Darby Mystery (Book 10), by Anna Lee Huber — A Review

From the desk of Sophia Rose:

From the first, Anna Lee Huber’s Lady Darby mysteries brought the early Victorian era to life with the atmosphere and gritty backdrop and cunning plot. Add in complex characters led by Lady Darby with a dark past and the layered relationships around her and the series soon became a must-read. A Perilous Perspective is no exception, and I was eager to see Kiera and Gage detecting once again while also Continue reading “A Perilous Perspective: A Lady Darby Mystery (Book 10), by Anna Lee Huber — A Review” →

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The Mozart Code: A Novel, by Rachel McMillan — A Review

From the desk of Katie Jackson: 

When World War II ended and Europe was rebuilding, there was another war of ideologies simmering in the shadows, waiting for a chance to seize control. These ideologies and the influential men conspiring to achieve their glory are the targets of sophisticated spies in a suspenseful tale of espionage, The Mozart Code, by Rachel McMillan. Continue reading “The Mozart Code: A Novel, by Rachel McMillan — A Review” →

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For the Lady of Lowena: A Cornish Romance (Book Two), by Deborah M. Hathaway — A Review

From the desk of Katie Jackson:

Shakespeare once wrote, “O Fortune, Fortune! all men call thee fickle.” And it is the fickleness of friends, fame, and fortune that must be faced when they no longer prove faithful in the second book of the A Cornish Romance series, For the Lady of Lowena, by skilled storyteller Deborah M. Hathaway.

A Genuine Gentleman Continue reading “For the Lady of Lowena: A Cornish Romance (Book Two), by Deborah M. Hathaway — A Review” →

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Kingscastle: A Classic Regency Romance in the Tradition of Georgette Heyer, by Sophia Holloway — A Review

From the desk of Keira Soleore:

Dear Readers, when I first set sight on the cover of Kingscastle, I knew I had to read it. I was pleased to see that the story lives up to the promise of Lee Avison’s cover design. Much in the same style as the Traditional Regency novels of the 1980s, Kingscastle is a quiet, character-driven story set in the countryside, complete with an imposing castle, a local vicar, a small village, torrents of rain, and a harridan Continue reading “Kingscastle: A Classic Regency Romance in the Tradition of Georgette Heyer, by Sophia Holloway — A Review” →

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Her Country Gentleman: Timeless Georgian Collection (Book 1), by Sian Ann Bessey, Sarah M. Eden, and Rebecca Connolly — A Review

From the desk of Katie Jackson: 

“Country roads, take me home . . . To the place I belong” were the song lyrics that meandered through my mind as I read these three stories about fine London ladies discovering the unexpected people and places they never knew they needed. This collection is the first book in a new Georgian-era series from Mirror Press, which is well-known for its other Timeless Romance Anthology® series that are set in the Regency Continue reading “Her Country Gentleman: Timeless Georgian Collection (Book 1), by Sian Ann Bessey, Sarah M. Eden, and Rebecca Connolly — A Review” →

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Murder at the Breakers: A Gilded Newport Mystery (Book 1), by Alyssa Maxwell, Narrated by Eva Kaminsky — A Review

From the desk of Sophia Rose:

Like every other television historical drama lover, I noticed the promos for HBO’s The Gilded Age. So, when the Gilded Age Mystery series cropped up as a newer audiobook release, I relished the opportunity to dive into this lavish world set in Newport, Rhode Island where the Vanderbilts and Astors and the rest of the Four Hundred came to play. Continue reading “Murder at the Breakers: A Gilded Newport Mystery (Book 1), by Alyssa Maxwell, Narrated by Eva Kaminsky — A Review” →

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Miss Lattimore’s Letter: A Novel, by Suzanne Allain — A Review

From the desk of Sophia Rose: 

It all started when a Wallflower wrote a letter.

After the sparkling and fun hit, Mr. Malcolm’s List, author Suzanne Allain returns with Miss Lattimore’s Letter,  a new, engaging Regency romp featuring an unexpected and reluctant matchmaker and a social season in Bath to determine the outcome of her efforts. A light and quick read for wiling away a few pleasurable reading moments.

A Heroine on the Shelf Continue reading “Miss Lattimore’s Letter: A Novel, by Suzanne Allain — A Review” →

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