The Lady's Mine by Francine Rivers | Historical Romance Review

The Lady's Mine

Francine Rivers

Historical Romance

1875. When Kathryn Walsh arrives in tiny Calvada, a mining town nestled in the Sierra Nevadas, falling in love is the farthest thing from her mind. Banished from Boston by her wealthy stepfather, she has come to claim an inheritance from the uncle she never knew: a defunct newspaper office on a main street overflowing with brothels and saloons, and a seemingly worthless mine. Moved by the oppression of the local miners and their families, Kathryn decides to relaunch her uncle’s newspaper―and then finds herself in the middle of a maelstrom, pitted against Calvada’s most powerful men. But Kathryn intends to continue to say―and publish―whatever she pleases, especially when she knows she’s right.

Matthias Beck, owner of a local saloon and hotel, has a special interest in the new lady in town. He instantly recognizes C. T. Walsh’s same tenacity in the beautiful and outspoken redhead―and knows all too well how dangerous that family trait can be. While Kathryn may be right about Calvada’s problems, her righteousness could also get her killed. But when the handsome hotelier keeps finding himself on the same side of the issues as the opinionated Miss Walsh, Matthias’s restless search for purpose becomes all about answering the call of his heart.

My Thoughts

I was so excited when Francine River's newest book came out. I put it on my Kindle as soon as possible. But I found myself putting off reading it. While I have loved each and every book that she has written they usually contain serious and even heavy emotional material. 

I don't know about you, but at our house it's been a long two years and I just wasn't in the frame of mind to read something heavy. Then one day I read a blog post by Francine Rivers about The Lady's Mine.  In the post she talks about all of us coming out of a heavy season and her desire to write something lighter that we could all find enjoyment in. 

With that information I decided to take a chance and give it a read. I'm so glad I did. It was a delightful story about a rugged man and a feisty woman who find themselves at odds about most things but also drawn together about the important things. The title is a clever double meaning and it was just the escape that I needed. If you enjoy a good historical romance give this one a shot.

Disclosure

I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.

 

Twilight at Moorington Cross by Abigail Wilson | Gothic Romance Review

Twilight at Moorington Cross

Abigail Wilson

Historical Romance (Gothic)

An inheritance could provide her with financial freedom, a rare accomplishment for a woman in the Regency era; she only has to marry one of two men to gain it. But what if her heart belongs to a third?

Brushed cruelly aside by the only father figure she’s ever known and then hospitalized by her arranged husband months before his death, Amelia Pembroke means to take control of her future at last, one way or another. Yet she knows all too well she faces an uphill battle, considering her transient sleeping spells are only getting worse.

Cluett’s Mesmeric Hospital has been something of a refuge for Amelia over the past year, even if it didn’t exactly improve her condition. But when her doctor is murdered and her name surprisingly turns up in his will, her options take a drastic turn. She has thirty days to marry one of two named gentlemen—strangers to her—and she will inherit everything from her friend and doctor, Mr. Cluett. One simple decision and all her financial troubles are at an end. The only problem is it’s not a simple decision anymore. Not when she’s falling in love with another man.

Ewan Hawkins has received his first assignment as an apprenticed solicitor: to update a man’s will. Finally, a chance to prove to society that possessing a disfigurement won’t hold him back. Thus, he means to do his job well. Of course, he never could have anticipated a murder, nor the strange clause added to the will—nor, most importantly, the charming widow who has found a way to capture his heart.

My Thoughts

I love a well written Gothic romance and Twilight at Moorington Cross fits that description. It has all the expected elements. A creepy house with unexplored areas that are probably hiding some sinister secret. Characters that may or may not be who they appear to be. And of course a heroine that finds herself in a perilous situation. 

The whole story was captivating but the ending was definitely the icing on the cake. I highly recommend this one!

Disclaimer:

I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.