historical fiction

Book Review: An Honorable Deception

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An Honorable Deception
The Imposters #3
by Roseanna M. White

My rating: 5 / 5
Genre: Christian historical romance

When a young socialite who seeks the Imposters’ help in finding her missing ayah is subsequently shot, Yates knows there’s more to this case than it first appeared. And since two of his team are semi-incapacitated, it’s easy to accept help from his old friend Lady Lavinia, who is still reeling from the betrayal uncovered in her family in a previous Imposters case.

Yates was a semi-side character in the previous two books, but there were always sections from his POV, giving us a chance to get to know him as an Imposter, brother, and earl. In this book, he’s in the forefront, and his history with Lavinia shown in the first book is expanded upon. I always liked Yates, so I was happy to see more of him. And though his sister Marigold is married now, I love their sibling relationship in this book.

Besides Yates, this book has two other POVs—Lavinia and Lady Alethia, the woman whose ayah has gone missing. Alethia has her own dark past, and the way Lavinia and Alethia help each other through their healing is one of my favorite things about this book. There was one quote in particular that I found very moving:

“‘Whoever made you think you’re not worth it— they’re wrong. So very wrong. And you let them win when you keep thinking those thoughts. You are precious….You must not take any unnecessary risks. Your life matters.’”

After reading the first book in this series, I already knew I needed to read other books by Roseanna M. White, and after reading the author’s note and finding out that some characters from another series of hers appeared in this book, I’ll definitely be starting with that one. The ending makes it seem like there’s more to come in this series, though I don’t know if that will be the case, or if it will spill into a different series like the Shadows Over England series did into this one. I’ll definitely keep an eye on White’s future books, but in the meantime, I highly recommend this book for fans of Christian historical mystery (this is set during the Edwardian era in London).

Thank you to Netgalley and Bethany House for providing me a copy of this book to review.
Publication date: November 19, 2024

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Book Review: A Thieving at Carlton House

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A Thieving at Carlton House
Of Cloaks & Daggers #1
by Erica Vetsch

My rating: 5 / 5
Genre: Christian historical mystery

When a costly set of jewels goes missing from the Prince Regent’s home, suspicion falls on two young servants that were placed there by Philippa Cashel, a former courtesan who now attempts to help other women in a similar position turn their lives around. Sir Bertrand Thorndike is ready to step out from under the shadow of his older brother and lead his own team of covert agents for the Crown, but his first assignment—recovering the stolen jewels—will prove to be much more complex than it appears.

Here Vetsch brings us another engaging story set in Regency England with a Christian worldview. The network of family, friends, and spies she has built in this world provides a perfect backdrop for a seemingly simple theft that gives Bertie Thorndike a run for his money. At the same time, Philippa is attempting to get a school off the ground for girls and women who want to escape their life on the streets, and she runs into obstacles and irritations that leave her questioning if she’s in over her head. Bertie has some development, but Philippa’s characterization arc is the highlight here, and we’re left with a hint of more to come for Bertie. I love the way Vetsch weaves themes of faith and forgiveness into the book without being preachy.

Erica Vetsch has created some of my favorite characters, large and small, so the fact that we get to continue seeing these characters makes me so happy. All good things must come to an end, but that doesn’t mean the end has to come quickly. I’m glad Vetsch has managed to buck the tradition of trilogies in this genre and keeps connecting the various trilogies to the same world. Yet at the same time, a new reader could start with this book and not be lost, since relevant things from the past are explained when/as needed. Of course, I would still recommend starting at the beginning for the full, rich experience, but diving in here is fine too. Either way, I highly recommend this book for fans of this genre and time period, whether you like romance or not, because there is some, but it’s not the focus of the book.

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Book Review: Al Capone Shines My Shoes

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Al Capone Shines My Shoes
Tales from Alcatraz #2
by Gennifer Choldenko

My rating: 4 / 5
Genre: Middle grade historical fiction

Spoiler notice: The following review contains some spoilers for the previous book in the series, Al Capone Does My Shirts.

Moose Flanagan’s life on Alcatraz may never be normal, but after his autistic sister gets into a special school, at least it may be calm for a while. That is, until he gets a note from notorious gangster Al Capone, whose help Moose enlisted in getting his sister into that school, asking him for a favor in return.

I knew this book couldn’t quite have the same punch as the first one, considering that the note from Capone at the end really blew me away. But there’s still quite a bit of intrigue when it comes to Capone and the prison, including a prison break that adds some excitement. Knowing that the author’s sister was autistic and was used as a basis for Moose’s sister, I appreciated the way she treats Natalie in the book as well. And the author’s notes after the book show that her research about Alcatraz and Al Capone were extensive, and she included plenty of that in interesting ways in the story.

My only gripe about this book is that it seems like all of the kids went a little nutty in it. Suddenly all of Moose’s friends treat him like crap, some for reasons I don’t think are ever even explained, even while one of them maintains that “everyone likes Moose.” In some ways, it might be completely normal for a group of kids at their age spending a lot of time in close proximity to behave this way toward each other, and some stressors are made clear, but it just made me scratch my head a lot and wait for everyone to start making sense again. Still, the story overall is enjoyable, and I recommend this book for pre-teens and young teens, as well as any adults who enjoy younger-audience books.

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Book Review: Through Waters Deep

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Through Waters Deep
Waves of Freedom #1
written by Sarah Sundin

My rating: 3 / 5
Genre: Historical Christian romance, mystery

Mary Stirling enjoys her job as Boston Navy Yard secretary, as long as it never puts her in the spotlight. When she encounters Jim Avery, an old friend who is now an naval officer, the two renew their friendship, bonding over some curious incidents that happen in the shipyard and aboard Avery’s ship, acts of sabotage that escalate in severity.

After reading and enjoying all of Sarah Sundin’s most recent works, I wanted to go back to some of her older books. This was not my favorite, for multiple reasons, though I did still enjoy Sundin’s style and the research and history she puts into her writing. However, the romance is heavily focused in the physical department for a while. There’s nothing graphic, but I don’t personally care for a lot of leering and pointing out of muscles and curves in Christian fiction. It’s always felt like a crutch, to me, a way to push the romance without having to put too much thought into what would attract two people to each other mentally or emotionally.

Also, both of these characters had some kind of major (maybe not so major in Mary’s case) trauma in their past that affected their lives so heavily, they both have a sort of mantra that they live by—”don’t hoist your sails.” For her, this means not to make too much of herself and become prideful. For him, this means not to stick his neck out or make a bold choice, but instead to “float” through life. They both have taken this to an extreme by this point in their lives, and while this does give both characters a chance to be dynamic throughout the story, it becomes a bit ridiculous and repetitive. Add to that the mystery that had way too many names involved and became convoluted and a bit far-fetched in the end, and this book was just okay. Fans of WWII stories, especially in the Christian romance genre, might enjoy this, especially if you’re not bothered by my complaints.

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Book Review: An Invitation to Murder

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An Invitation to Murder
by Leighann Dobbs & Harmony Williams

My rating: 2 / 5
Genre: Historical mystery

Lady Katherine has a deal with her detective father that she can solve a murder case before her 25th birthday, but she’s running out of time and her investigation into 2 recent murders is hampered by the premature shut-down of the season in Town, due to those same murders. Fortunately, her success matching her sisters with loving husbands, Katherine is asked by a desperate mother to help her daughter find a match with an earl whose mother is brave enough to throw a house party, thus giving Katherine an invitation to that party as the young woman’s chaperone.

The note from the authors at the beginning of the book set the tone for me, and it wasn’t in a good way. They explain that they have intentionally gone against historical accuracy to make their heroine less “ladylike” and “acceptable” to society simply because the authors don’t like that women were expected to act demure and leave certain things to men in that time period. Maybe they shouldn’t be writing about that time period, then, but I also tend to think there are ways to write “strong” female characters in the Regency period (give or take) in England without having them talk and act completely anachronistically, intentional or not. To be fair, though, I did still choose to read the book, knowing this in advance. That wasn’t the only thing that bothered me about the book, though, or I’m sure I would have given it more than 2 stars.

My main issue is actually Katherine herself as a character and as an investigator. She accepts the matchmaking job but completely ignores her charge most of the time, even at times forgetting all about the woman she’s supposed to be chaperoning. And ultimately, I don’t believe she has any idea what she’s doing as an investigator. She has terrible (and obvious) investigative techniques and no foundation for any theory. It all just sounds like complete guesswork. Even by halfway through the story, none of her theories seemed any more plausible than any of them did from the start. Each time she tried to advance a theory with new information, it would ultimately end with, “or maybe not…”

With a main character I don’t care for, an obnoxiously dogged rival detective, and some major coincidences, this book is definitely not for me. I’m not sure I can really recommend this for anyone, though if you’re a fan of the genre(s) and wouldn’t be bothered by the things I mentioned, considering checking out the other reviews at the link below.

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Book Review: Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor

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Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor
by Roseanna M. White

My rating: 5 / 5
Genre: Christian historical romance

Though marriage to Cyril Lightbourne, a very distant relation that Mariah Lyons’s father’s estate will pass to someday, would be convenient, Mariah has to face the fact that he’s not the same kid she played with years in the past when he first visited Plumford. Their letters became strained over the years, and she’s heard that he’s set his sights on the flirtatious, malicious Lady Pearl, which lowers Cyril in her own esteem anyway. Still, she’s glad that their old friendship is rekindled when he comes to Plumford at Christmastime, and she has enough to deal with anyway, since a Danish lord is visiting Plumford at the same time, set on winning Mariah’s hand.

I’m always wary of romances set at Christmastime, since they’re often much more sappy and devoid of plot than other romances, but I recently fell in love with some of Roseanna M. White’s other works, so I was excited to receive an ARC of this novella. And it did not disappoint. It’s short enough that there aren’t any major surprises, but there are some lovely minor surprises, and I actually found myself cheering at some moments near the end of the story. I was confused at first when a 3rd POV popped up, that of the Danish Lord, Søren Gyldenkrone, but it really paid off in the end.

I’m a complete novice when it comes to what this book is based on—The Nutcracker—but that by no means lowered my enjoyment of it. The Christian element is mostly related to the characters clearly being Christ-followers themselves and some allowing their faith to change their thinking (for the better). The only downside to getting an ARC of a Christmas book in August is that I don’t get to read it while ensconced in a colorful, wintery environment myself (technically, I could have, but I don’t like putting off ARCs like that). I may have to re-read this one next December (only because this December would be too soon), just for the full effect. In case it’s not clear, I highly recommend this sweet, well-themed Christmas romance.

I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.
Publication date: September 3, 2024

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Book Review: The Regency Brides Collection

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The Regency Brides Collection
by multiple authors (see details below)

My rating: 3.5 / 5
Genre: Christian historical romance, short stories

This book contains short stories from 7 different authors, taking place in England during the Regency period. My overall rating for the book is an average of my ratings for each story, shown below. Below the ratings is a brief review for each story.

“First Comes Marriage” by Amanda Barratt – 3 / 5
“Masquerade Melody” by Angela Bell – 4 / 5
“Three Little Matchmakers” by Susanne Dietze – 4 / 5
“The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady” by Michelle Griep – 3 / 5
“When I Saw His Face” by Nancy Moser – 2 / 5
“The Highwayman’s Bargain” by MaryLu Tyndall  – 3.5 / 5
“Jamie Ever After” by Erica Vetsch – 4.5 / 5

“First Comes Marriage” (3 / 5) is a marriage of convenience story with a nice forgiveness angle, plus a focus on the change in a person that comes from following God. Overall, though, it didn’t stand out, and there was a major coincident near the end of the story that bugged me a bit.

“Masquerade Melody” (4 / 5) is well-written and sweet, with a romance that isn’t as overly obvious as they often are, especially in short stories. Though I think I may not be musical enough to enjoy this much as I could have, it was one of my favorites in the book.

“Three Little Matchmakers” (4 / 5) has Sound of Music vibes to it, with a grumpy father-figure and kids that end up endearing themselves to him. The kids’ constant eavesdropping bothered me a little (like, does no one watch or discipline them?), but it ended up being kinda cute. I also really liked Henry’s arc in dealing with his temper.

“The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady” (3 / 5) was overall fairly simple and didn’t stand out to me. The female main character had this way of trying to convince herself to pretend things weren’t as bad as they were or pretend something she wanted was really going to happen—it’s difficult to explain, but it made her seem very immature to me.

“When I Saw His Face” (2 / 5) is the story of a widow who accepts a marriage proposal mostly out of obligation, and then starts to fall in love with someone else. I did not care for her at all or the terrible way she treated both of these men, especially the fiancé, with barely any consequences. The story in the end is too easy and too predictable, and was my least favorite in the book.

“The Highwayman’s Bargain” (3.5 / 5) was maybe a bit predictable, but it ended up sweet. I was a little frustrated with how long the female main character held out before letting her better judgment prevail. And I don’t particularly care for so much deception without consequences in a Christian setting, but overall, the story wasn’t bad.

“Jamie Ever After” (4.5 / 5) was my favorite story in the series, and no surprise, since the author has recently become my favorite author of this genre of novels. Her inclusion in the collection is the main reason I read it. I liked both of the main characters as individuals and the relationship that built between them. It’s a marriage of convenience story, and though there is a contrivance in it that caused the half-star detraction in my rating, it’s overall a very sweet story that left me very happy.

In the end, though my overall rating for this collection isn’t wonderful, I liked more than I didn’t, and I think that others who like Christian romance from this time period will enjoy the book even more than I did.

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Book Review: The Boy Who Loved Anne Frank

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The Boy Who Loved Anne Frank
by Ellen Feldman

My rating: 3 / 5
Genre: Historical fiction

What if Otto Frank wasn’t the only survivor of those who hid for years in the Secret Annex? What if Peter also survived the war and went to America afterward, reinventing himself like he’d told Anne he would do if he made it out? This is the story of what could have been, as Peter van Pels keeps his identity a secret, even Anne’s diary becomes public and subsequent adaptations are released.

I’ve had this book on my shelf for a while, but finally read it because my daughter recently read The Diary of a Young Girl (and I re-read it to be able to remember it enough to talk to her about it) and was curious about this book. I think the author handled a very difficult subject well—severe PTSD of a kind that most of us will never be able to understand. The fact that Peter reminded me a bit of the Art Spiegelman’s father in the Maus books makes me think that Feldman did a decent job portraying someone who survived the horrors of the Holocaust. However, I think the title is a bit deceptive, in that it gives the impression that the story will delve at least a little into Peter’s time in the annex, his time with Anne. Instead, a large part of what Peter does in the book to protect himself is to completely disown his past, even in his own mind, so he considers the day he landed in America as when his life began and doesn’t think about the time before that at all. Understandable, but not quite what I expected from this story.

In fact, I think that’s a lot of what I felt about this book: understandable, even decently written, but not really what I was expecting or my normal reading preference. So I will just say that if you are intrigued by the concept and stories that delve into psychology, PTSD, dark subjects, etc., definitely give this book a try. I wasn’t the right audience, but maybe you will be.

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Book Review: The Captain’s Daughter

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The Captain’s Daughter
by Jennifer Delamere

My rating: 3 / 5
Genre: Historical Christian romance

Chased to London by a false accusation of theft, Rosalyn Bernay soon finds herself without any possessions or a place to stay. A chance encounter lands her both a job and a friend who offers to let her stay at her small flat. The job is at a theater that is currently running the most popular show in London and also happens to be where Nate Moran is working as a stagehand. Nate is recovering from an injury, after which he intends to return to his army unit in India. Meeting Rosalyn has made him question the plan to return, but he is determined not to let her shake his resolve.

In a lot of ways, this book checked boxes that normally make a book in this genre perfect for me. However, I think the plot may have had too much going on for my taste. The focus on the theater and Rosalyn beginning to find a passion to perform herself was interesting, and it probably would have provided enough plot on its own. But add to that Nate’s stubborn insistence that he must return to India to make up for a mistake he made there before he left and the brothel owner that Rosalyn runs afoul of when she first comes to London, and there are side plots that aren’t resolved well enough for my taste. The false claims that chase Rosalyn to London in the first place to have a satisfactory conclusion, at least.

I do like that the romance is overall pretty subtle, and I appreciated Nate’s family—full of kind, wise, fun people. I don’t know that I really understand the choice of title, in that Rosalyn’s father being a captain is a pretty small part of the book. But I do wonder if I might have gotten more out of the story in general if I actually knew anything about the opera that’s being staged in the theater throughout the book (H.M.S. Pinafore). Though the next book in the series has a considerably higher rating on Goodreads, I don’t plan to continue this series. However, if it sounds interesting to you, please do check it out.

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Book Review: A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure

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A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure
by Angela Bell

My rating: 5 / 5
Genre: Christian historical romance

A failed engagement leaves Clara playing protector to her family of eccentrics, lest her ex-fiance have them committed as insane. When her grandfather takes in an apprentice for his clockmaking shop, a broken vagabond with a false name, Clara is certain he’s a spy sent by her ex-fiance. Then her grandfather takes to the skies in a flying machine he invented, bidding both Clara and Theodore, his apprentice, to follow his clues in a scavenger hunt across Europe. As Clara attempts to find her grandfather before the wrong people do, she may just have to let go of the idea that protecting everyone she loves is entirely up to her.

This book has everything I love in this genre and then some. Both of the main characters are complex, well-crafted characters. Side characters are colorful and fun. There’s adventure, symbolism, and romance that doesn’t take over the story. Though perhaps the heavy burdens that both Clara and Theodore carry throughout much of the story is a bit overdone, they both separately culminate in ways that I loved. There’s one scene in particular on Theodore’s side that brought tears to my eyes. There is quite a bit of Christian-related content in this book, but to me, it’s not the amount of references to God or the Bible that can make that content feel forced or preachy but the way it’s used, whether it’s well-infused with the story being told or not, and I felt Bell did a great job of having it all work together.

What really made this book fun and adventurous was the side characters, namely Clara’s mother (lovingly denoted “Mrs. S.” by Theodore), with her penchant for collecting abandoned or broken critters, and Clara’s grandfather (“Grand” to her and “Drosselmeyer” to Theodore), who isn’t present for much of the story overall, but drives the plot with his scavenger hunt and words of wisdom about Clara’s tendency toward self-reliance. I don’t know how realistic Grand’s automaton inventions were for that time period (or for modern times, even), but I truly do not care. They appealed to my escape-room-loving heart and added so much whimsy to the story.

I’m a fairly picky reader, but I loved this book and recommend it for fans of historical Christian fiction. If you enjoy this book, I strongly suggest checking out the author’s contribution to The Lassoed by Marriage Romance Collection, a book of short stories by different authors. Her story was my favorite in that collection (and also involved automatons) and what led me to look for other writings of hers just in time to read this debut novel, and I’m so glad I did!

Thank you to Netgalley and Bethany House for providing me a copy of this book to review.

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