My Reading Spot

It’s finally spring – at least I think so?  Spring in Utah is always a little touchy.  Snow one day and a sunny afternoon the next.  But you can’t argue with the calendar and the calendar says it is so!  I love spending a good spring day sitting on the back porch with a good book while the kids play in the backyard. It doesn’t get much better than that!  This past week I’ve had the chance to read two new releases that I want to share with you today.  I loved both of these books and highly recommend them!  Perfect spring reading!

Miss Wilton’s Waltz

Josi Kilpack

352 pages

ARC through NetGalley

From the Publisher:  Lenora Wilton has spent her life hiding behind the keys of her beloved pianoforte and the vibrancy of her younger sister, Cassie. But Lenora is ready for a change and travels to Bath to live with her Aunt Gwen and teach music at an all-girls boarding school. She is different in Bath more comfortable with herself and enjoys the freedom and independence of her new life there.

When Lenora meets Aiden Asher, she finds herself attracted to him, but her unexpected feelings become more complicated when she learns that Catherine Lenora s newest and most troublesome student in the school is Mr. Asher’s niece. Catherine is a difficult student, and Lenora works hard to make progress with the girl.

When the chemistry between Lenora and Aiden increases, they share a passionate kiss by the River Avon, and Lenora feels it is the beginning of a new forever until she learns that Aiden has withheld an important detail about his life that changes everything.

Lenora closes her heart to him, and Aiden, caught between his obligation and his heart, must do what he can to make amends. And Lenora, after years of hiding from everyone and everything, faces a decision only she can make.

Review:

I loved Cassie’s story in The Vicar’s Daughter. But at the end, while I was happy that Lenora’s story ended somewhat happy, I really wanted to know how her story would end. I was SO excited when I learned that this would be the continuation of this story and I would finally get to find out Lenora’s story.  I loved watching her personality blossom and really come to life in this book.  The walks by the river at night were entertaining and I loved the challenges that she faced with Catherine.  There were times I really wanted to put Catherine in her place, her character was so well done.  This is just like SO many of Kilpack’s book though, to take a subject, like illiteracy or dyslexia and weave it into a story.  Clearly Catherine had some sorts of learning disorders, if not more.  I also really enjoyed the role of Aunt Gwen in Catherine’s life.  I wouldn’t mind if Kilpack jumped in years and we got to read Catherine’s story next!  I have always enjoyed Kilpack’s novels, but I am so glad that she has found a niche in the proper romance/historical romance settings.  I really love her books, I come away from reading them and feel like I’ve learned a little something and feel uplifted from the story as well.  Well done!  Loved this one, I can’t wait for the next!

Loving Lieutenant Lancaster

Sarah M. Eden

256 pages

Hard copy edition

From the publisher: Orphaned as a child, Arabella Hampton was the unwanted and unloved charge of a cruel aunt and neglectful uncle. The only light in her young life was the kindness of the Jonquil family, and she clung to the childish dream of someday living with them at Lampton Park. Now, years later, that opportunity is presented to Arabella in a most unexpected way: she is to be the lady’s companion to the dowager countess. As she takes up residence at the estate, the young woman soon finds that life at the Park is far more complicated than she imagined. The lines of her position are blurred, and she is neither family nor servant. So when the countess plans a grand house party, Arabella is content to hide in the shadows. But one gentleman sees her there.

Lieutenant Linus Lancaster has retired from the navy and is not looking for love, especially when he finds himself entangled in his sisters’ scheme to trap him into finding a wife at a house party at Lampton Park. Yet amid the festivities, he’s impossibly drawn to the dowager’s quiet companion, Arabella. Their regard for each other is undeniable, but they are haunted by their pasts. Can the two find a way to bridge their worlds?

Review:

The day we have all been waiting for!  Another Lancaster story! And it was a total surprise and came early!  A good friend on mine got some tickets to the Proper Romance Soiree party – I am still kicking myself that I missed out – but she grabbed me a copy and got it signed for me too!  I loved that this book really blended the Jonquil and Landcaster family into one story.  It was so entertaining to see some of the lead characters (Adam and Phillip) go head to head! There were some scenes that seriously made me laugh out loud!  I know I have friends who are bigger fans of one family over the other, and that is why this book is awesome, it’s the best of both worlds!  I loved how Linus was able to really grow into his role and how he helped Charlie.  Arabella was a fantastic character and had such whit!  I can’t think of anything that I didn’t love about this book!  Fantastic book.  If you haven’t read any of the Landcaster  or Jonquil books, you can read them in order, but you certainly don’t have too.  I re-read all of them last year and might be tempted to do it again this year.  Lovely reads!

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Have you read either of these?  Do you plan on it?  Share with me in comments what you are currently reading!