Surrey, England, late January 1812
Never Doubt A Duke by Regina Scott

I found this first of the Fortune’s Brides series to be a fun and clean Regency romance novel. Regina Scott delivered an entertaining story, which held my attention and caused me to smile throughout!

The main character, Jane Kimball, is not the model governess, which makes for a lot of conflict, surprise, and interest! This offers the reader an interesting point of view about this character’s position in a wealthy household during the early 1800s. Jane is an interesting character with strengths that were not valued in her time. Tell me everyone, can’t we all relate on some level? I enjoyed how Jane got herself into and out of predicaments!

Alaric, Duke of Way, is father to three young girls, Lady Larissa, Lady Calantha, and Lady Abelona. Their mother had passed away and they have challenged their governesses ever since. Of course, none of the governesses have stayed, which causes the reader to hold the attitude--how long will Jane last? I like Alaric and I think his opinions and challenges are worthy of every conflict and success that he shares with Jane and his family.

Miss Thorn’s cat, Fortune, is a pleasing addition to this story. I could identify with Fortune’s importance because my sister and brother have a cat named Millie. Yes, Millie did choose me as one of her people she likes. Millie will hide from guests generally but will be friendly and desire attention from a chosen few!

Regina Scott sent me this novel to critique, and I trust her to write entertaining feel-good stories. Her historical settings and fun characters are a joy to read. This is a highly recommended book and I’m eagerly awaiting the next story in this series!


QUESTIONS FOR REGINA:
Your characters are always interesting. Were you motivated to write any character in this novel because of someone you know? Not in this book. Jane popped up, strong-willed, durable, and determined to make a difference. She was so much fun to write.
 
How did you come up with Fortune the cat?
My critique partner loves cats. She’s always encouraging me to put one in my stories. I have shied away from this, as I am more of a dog person. But she recently adopted an adorable grey kitten who is such a joy to watch romp around. I thought it would be fun to have a cat be part of bringing couples together.

What idea triggered the name, Fortune? (I think this is the perfect name for this feline character!)
Originally, I wanted Miss Thorn, Fortune’s owner, to have a last name of Fortune. The Miss Fortune Employment Agency sounded so funny! But there is a long-running mystery series in which the sleuth is Miss Fortune, and I didn’t want to look as if I had taken someone else’s idea. But I loved the ideas of Fortune’s Brides, and so the name was loaned to Fortune the cat. Miss Thorn found her as she was waiting to hear whether she’d inherited enough money to live one. You might say the cat is her Fortune.
 
Have you traveled to Surrey? If so what was your favorite memory of that visit?
Alas, I have not had the pleasure. I have driven along the edges of Surrey, heading to London, but I haven’t been directly into the county. But the internet is such a treasure, and there are so many period paintings of the area, that I feel as if I’ve been there! One of my dreams is to take one of the canal boats along the Thames through Surrey. Perhaps one day!
 
Is there theme or encouragement within this story that you would like to elaborate upon?
A theme I’m told comes through often in my stories is “be your true self.” God created us to be unique individuals, with skills, abilities, and dreams. Jane embodies this. She doesn’t compromise who she is, even when doing so might have made things easier for her. I admire people who can do that.
 
What new novels do you have available in the future?  
The sequel to Never Doubt a Duke, Never Borrow a Baronet, will be available June 13. I wanted to put the first couple books in the series close together so readers would have an idea of what to expect. The third, Never Envy an Earl, is slated for an August release. I hope to have the fourth, Never Vie for a Viscount, out in late November. It’s been a busy year for me, but I’m having a blast, and I hope readers will too.
 
How do you want your readers to find you?  
Thank you so much for this opportunity to share with readers, Susan! Blessings!
Regina Scott
Never Doubt a Duke, Book 1 in the new Fortune’s Brides series, 5/18/18
Never Borrow a Baronet, Book 2 in the Fortune’s Brides series, 6/13/18
www.reginascott.com * newsletter signup www.eepurl.com/baqwVT

This Ballantyne Legacy, starting with “Love’s Reckoning” by Laura Frantz, is a spellbinding tale that will tether you to the pages. Eden and Elspeth Lee’s secrets and strivings will put you in a quandary of: “Will I have the strength to put this book down? If I do, will I be able to think about anything else?”

This is a beautifully written story, one that captured my heart and pulled me willingly along the whole way through. I had to know what would happen next. What choices would be made? The twists this story took kept me engrossed in the business of watching their secrets unfold and rooting for the hero and heroine. The first time I read this captivating tale I was in perfect angst when I had to put the book down to take care of the mundane duties awaiting my attention. Unimportant tasks such as going to work or making dinner!

The second time I flipped these pages was during my summer vacation. I found “Loves Reckoning” to be just as intriguing and satisfying. This novel is on my reread and reread again and again and again list. If you are looking for a well written novel that deals with imperfect people, harsh realities life can toss your way, and strength to overcome, then this will be the novel for you. The characters are well rounded, unique, and interesting. The historical information is carefully woven in to move the story along and yet put the reader there. My advice is that you purchase “Love’s Reckoning” right away!

QUESTIONS FOR LAURA:

1. I’m curious, are you a writer who plots your story beforehand or do you discover the adventure along the way? Generally, I’m one of those crazy people who just sits down with pen and paper and writes, no map. But this new series of mine, The Ballantyne Legacy, required a proposal or synopsis of each story which was new to me. Thankfully, my publisher lets me deviate for the good of the book if needed and stray from the synopsis for the good of the story.
2. How did you choose the location of your story? (Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) My head editor wanted to set the story in Pittsburgh and so I also brought in Philadelphia, a city I love. I think there’s a danger of authors becoming pigeon-holed in a particular setting (in my case, Kentucky) which can be limiting. Branching out can be beneficial to both author and reader at times, or so I hope.
3. Do you have any funny or stand out experiences you would like to share about researching this novel? I am such an unfunny person (can you tell that by my emotionally intense books?!). I did learn SO MUCH about blacksmithing I felt I could work in the smithy right along with Silas. And yet the more I learned the more I felt I’d only touched the tip of the iceberg.  The blacksmithing trade was quite complicated and required a great deal of skill and artisanship to be truly good.
4. I love the quotes in the beginning of your chapters. Do you find them before you write the chapter or afterwards? Both. I’m always on the lookout for great quotes and have fun looking them up or asking readers to share those they like best. It’s amazing how easy it is to match a quote with a chapter, sort of setting the scene for what is to come without spoiling things.
5. Your characterization of the two sisters, Eden and Elspeth, are so well done. Did you create them realizing how helpful their conflicts will be to young girls who experience dysfunction in their families interactions? I did not realize this until a professional library recommended the book to teen girls for the very reasons you mention. I’ve always wanted to reach young women/teens and pray this book makes that kind of an impact. I don’t have a sister though I wish I did. But if I did I wouldn’t want an Elspeth!
6. How long does it take you to accomplish the research for a book series such as this? I always seem to be researching, filling notebooks with historical info and keeping a filing system of the same. While I’m writing the story I continue researching. This series is especially a challenge because I’m dealing with stories leaping from 1780 to 1820 to 1850 or so. Times and customs and everything changed radically then so it’s crucial to stay relevant.
7. How do you glean ideas you need for your stories? Can you give an example? The idea for Love’s Reckoning came from a snippet of research I discovered in the fabulous FOXFIRE books. These are how-to books about Appalachian life with interviews of old-timers, etc. One of the tradesmen therein spoke about apprentices marrying into the master tradesman’s family in early America. I found this intriguing and full of possibilities. What if the apprentice had to choose between not one daughter but two? What if he didn’t get along with the father/master? What if both sisters fell in love with him? That’s all the fire imagination needs…
8. Do you have any book signings scheduled in the near future? My last signing was at the International Christian Retail Show in St. Louis. I don’t often do them but this was a great venue given the Christy Awards, etc.                                          (Laura has had other signing since this revisited review/interview!) 
   
9. How can your readers reach you? FB https://www.facebook.com/LauraFrantzAuthor    WEB page laurafrantz.net  Publisher  Revell/Baker Publishing Group    e-mail lauran@tfon.com
   
10. Do you have any television or radio interviews scheduled that your readers or interested parties could tune into? Not at present though if that changes I’ll let you know. I did do a local radio show early on when my debut novel released which is probably still in the radio archives but I’m mortified even thinking of it now!
    
11. Have you written articles or historic pieces, which would expand on the information of this time period? I have not but that’s always an interesting possibility.
    
12. Would you like to see your books become movies? I think every author dreams of this. It’s really fun to think of who you’d cast as the principal actors and such.
13. Is this novel available on audio? I keep hoping but not yet! It will be available in Dutch and French, thankfully.                                                                                           I'm grateful to say that the Ballantyne series is on audio! I have this series and LOVE them!
    
14. I absolutely love Love’s Reckoning. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your journey writing this work of fiction? Love’s Reckoning went in an entirely different direction than I had planned so feel it has a unique readership in some respects, perhaps not the typical CBA audience. Soon after the book released, I was contacted by a Pennsylvania native/New York Times romance author who told me how much she enjoyed the book. She even presented the novel at a Pittsburgh book event where she was the keynote. I’ve been contacted by readers who have told me that Eden’s tragedy is their own and that the story brought healing. Looking back, there were a couple of things I wish I’d done differently as far as plot line and character development but now believe the book is written as it was meant to be written, flaws and all.
15. What can we expect from the next Ballantyne Legacy book 2 available this fall? Love’s Awakening is a very different book! Some readers will be relieved but others might miss that almost dark, emotional intensity of the first. Ellie’s story does have its moments but it’s a lighter book in some respects, especially since we’re dealing with a happy family rather than a first class dysfunctional one.
16. Who are other authors you enjoy reading? I am a huge fan of Liz Curtis Higgs and her Scottish historicals. Serena Miller is a fellow Revell author and friend whose books I cannot put down. She won the RITA last year – and with good reason! Actually I have so many authors I admire/read in the CBA that I’m afraid to name them all lest I leave one out. So I’ll just say Liz and Serena for starters !…
17. You have several other books in print. (The Frontiersman’s Daughter, Courting Morrow Little, The Colonel’s Lady) Which one is your favorite book and why? Each of my books holds a special place for me. The Frontiersman’s Daughter is beloved because it has the most of my family heritage and history therein. Courting Morrow Little is a favorite because of the half-native hero, Red Shirt. I’ve always had a soft spot for Colonel McLinn and a man in Revolutionary War uniform so that takes care of The Colonel’s Lady. In Love’s Reckoning Silas swept me off my feet along with Eden. And in Love’s Awakening in which I explore the power of prayer in a small way, I love Ellie’s character.
    

 
          This is an older review and I will check back with Laura to see if she has anything               more to add to this post concerning information updates!
 
 
 

Oh Italy! What a historic wonderland of art and culture! I love Cara’s descriptions of the masterpieces that were sought after for protection by Lieutenant Scott Lindstrom—the Monument Man in this story. Cara Putman shared the landscape of war and desperation with language in hues that were well placed, as though a skillful paintbrush of description brought her story to life.  Italy, during World War II, was not just a fascinating place to visit (in a novel) but also the perfect time and place for Captain Rachel Justice’s journey and exploration. Well done Cara Putman!

The Third Reich moved around Italy devastating ancient art and architecture and killing those who remained in their way. There is tension throughout this novel and I kept turning those pages because of my concern for my new imaginary friends—the heroine and hero! I appreciated the support characters also. This story flowed and was easy to read and enjoy!

I’ve read other World War II novels, though this isn’t the usual time period for me. But never have I explored a novel set in Italy—especially with Nazis attacking and creating havoc on land and in the sky. It only took me a matter of days to enjoy Cara’s novel to the end and I highly recommend this read. I liked her heroine and the hero, and some of the support characters and their reactions to life on the pages. I also appropriately didn’t like the trouble-making bad guy! 

This story made me smile and remember that I’d tried to take Latin in high school, so that I could travel with my class to Italy many moons ago—but my mom was wise to my motivation! Who could blame me for trying!

If you want to enjoy, be entertained, and experience the past with excellent characters and a clean story – I advise you pick this book up and enjoy!

QUESTIONS FOR CARA:

1. This is a fascinating take on the World War II. How did you choose the Monument’s Men theme?
   I have always loved history. That’s one, key reason I love writing historical fiction set during World War II. I also have a great respect for the men and women of the Greatest Generation. I want to tell their stories well and honor what they did.
    
   For Shadowed by Grace, I relied on numerous nonfiction resources. From The Day of Battle by Rick Atkinson I learned details about what Naples was like after it had been liberated by the Allies even to Italian women being paid with monopoly money. In Where the Action Was by Penny Colman I learned many details of what it was like to be a woman correspondent on the European front. I discovered War in Val d’Orica, a diary kept by a British woman who married an Italian and lived in Tuscany during WWII. It brought to life what it was like to live in occupied Italy. You can imagine my delight when the author referenced the Monuments Men in her journal.
    
   
   
2. Do you have a favorite artist or painting that would be represented in this story?
   There were so many…I fell in love with art during an Art Appreciation course in college. My favorites didn't necessarily make it into this book, but Primavera is an amazing painting. It’s housed at the Uffizi in Florence, and I’ve stood in front of it twice. It is amazing!
   
   
3. Do you have a fact or scene that you would like to share that had to be left out of this story?
   I actually have a couple that I’ve posted on my website. Kind of the hidden scenes. Your readers can access the lost chapters, here: http://www.caraputman.com/shadowed-grace-lost-pages/
   
   
4. What is your next story that is coming out?
   My next book is Delayed Justice, which releases in October. This is a contemporary romantic legal suspense set in Washington, D.C. I have really enjoyed writing these books because I’m an attorney and lived in the DC area for eight years. It’s been like coming home to write this series involving a group of women who are five years out from law school, and now embroiled in diverse careers and cases. At the same time, they’re finding love, which is so fun!

          Here’s more on it:
          She had long given up the desire to be loved. Now she only needed to be heard.

 Jaime Nichols went to law school to find the voice she never had as a child, and her determination to protect girls and women who are in harm’s way drives her in ways both spoken and unspoken. As Jamie, now a criminal defense attorney, prepares to press charges against someone who wronged her long ago, she must face not only her demons but also the unimaginable forces that protect the powerful man who tore her young life apart.
 
Chandler Bolton, a retired veteran, is tasked with helping a young victim who must testify in court—and along with his therapy dog, Aslan, he’s up for the task. When he first meets Jaime, all brains, beauty, and brashness, he can’t help but be intrigued. But as Chandler works to break through the wall Jaime has built around herself, the two of them discover that they may have more to offer one another than they ever could have guessed—and that together, they may be able to help this endangered child.
 
This thrilling installment of the Hidden Justice series explores the healing power of words given voice and the resolution of wrongs. And as Jaime pursues delayed justice of her own, she unearths eternal truths that will change the course of her life.

5) How do you wish for your readers to connect with you?
I love to interact with my readers in many ways. They can find me in the following places:

      Website: www.caraputman.com
      Facebook: www.facebook.com/caraputman
      Twitter: www.twitter.com/cara_putman
      Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/caraputman
      Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/CaraPutman

​Thank you for an excellent review Cara! I know I'll be shopping soon! I really enjoyed your book! 

Jocelyn Green is an author to follow! Her depth of character and plot spins the reader into a tightly woven web that does not let go until you finish the last delicious page!
Julianne Chevalier’s story begins in Paris, France in 1719—such a different time and place, especially for those caught in untoward circumstances. Jocelyn takes the reader back to the unfairness and severity of eighteenth century law. Those judgments made were much different than those of our court system today.

I immensely liked and cared about the main character’s journey. The oppositional characters earned my distrust and dislike!

As the story begins I was able to sink myself into the time period and consider for the first time the true-life struggles and conflicts that 1719 French women experienced. Mindsets and social expectations conditioned judgmental attitude toward others when they were accused of a crime.

The pacing and content of this historical provided excellent involvement for this reader. My imagination flew boundless as I followed Julianne’s experiences in France and as she acclimated herself to the heat and humidity of New Orleans, Louisiana. One circumstance lead to another, which evolved into a tale that is unforgettable and gripping.

This is a well written story which caught my emotions in a vice grip. The characters from Adelaide to Benjamin Chevalier as well as everyone in-between were noteworthy and interesting. I highly recommend this novel and this author for your reading pleasure! If you take my advice grab your tissues, block out some uninterrupted time—for you will not want to put this novel down! Well done, Jocelyn Green. I look forward with expectation to your future reads!

Questions for Jocelyn:

1. What or who inspired your story?
   It started with a list of names I found online. Genevieve, Catherine, Marie-Louise, Angelique….Aged 20. 17, 16, 24…These were names and ages of real women who were transferred from the Paris prison and orphanage of Salpetriere to go settle New Orleans in the early 1700s. I was hooked! I had to find out more, and found history that was both fascinating and new to me. There are many excellent books set in the British colonies, but the French colony of Louisiana seems to be much lesser known. The years of forced immigration, whereby Paris cleaned out its prisons to populate a floundering wilderness, was just too rife with story potential to ignore. It’s a story of incredible hardship and courage, fear and hope, judgment and redemption. It also offered an opportunity to unlock a slice of American history most of us know little about, which appeals to me a great deal.
   
2. Have you been interested in France and New Orleans, Louisiana for very long?
   I’m interested in France because my brother was a missionary there and married my sister-in-law who grew up outside of Paris. Before I’d heard about the French plan to colonize Louisiana, I was probably about as interested in New Orleans as most people, but the main thing I associated with it for a while was Hurricane Katrina. Now, of course, I think of what it must have been like way back when it was founded. It’s interesting to note that the site for the settlement was contested even then, and it flooded often.
   
3. Laura Frantz wrote that you both created a tie between your heroines from her novel The Lacemaker and your novel A Refuge Assured. I LOVE that you did that. How did this come about?
   We love the connection, too! It came about because I read her author newsletter, and she mentioned the heroine of her upcoming novel was a lacemaker. Just like mine. Both of our stories were pretty far along in the process, too. I emailed Laura immediately and we compared the similarities and differences in our stories. Laura’s story is set in colonial Williamsburg on the eve of the American Revolution. Mine starts in Paris during the French Revolution and quickly moves to Philadelphia in 1794. The connection between the lacemakers was easy to imagine, because lacemaking is typically a tradition passed down from one generation of women to the next. Laura and I had a great time creating a family tree with roots in France, and determining where the branches reached to England before spanning the ocean to America. Our heroines don’t interact with each other in either book, but the eagle-eyed readers will catch the mention of great-grandmothers they shared in each one.
   
4. If you could become skillful with an eighteenth-century craft – what would it be?
   Lacemaking is so amazing but I think I’d go with embroidery. It seems a little more versatile for today’s culture.
   
5. Did you have family who were lacemakers or seamstresses? If so, did you have the pleasure of knowing them first hand or did you hear about them and dream...
   Not that I’m aware of!
   
6. What other fiction stories have you written? What will be next?
   Besides The Mark of the King and A Refuge Assured (two stand-alone novels), I’ve also written a four-book Civil War series called Heroines Behind the Lines Civil War. Those books are Wedded to War, Widow of Gettysburg, Yankee in Atlanta, and Spy of Richmond. I’m also honored to have a novella included in The Message in a Bottle Romance Collection, which has four other novellas authored by Amanda Dykes, Heather Day Gilbert, Maureen Lang, and Joanne Bischof. My next book will release February 2019, and it is titled Between Two Shores. It’s set during the Seven Years War in Montreal, New France.
7. How do want your readers to contact you?
   My Web site is www.jocelyngreen.com and has links on the contact page to all other places online where I hang out.
   

Jocelyn, I can't thank you enough for such a wonderful interview! A special thank you to those who stopped in to find out about Jocelyn Green and her novels! So reader, I don't know about you, but I must say that I have some shopping to do!