A Reader's Opinion Touching Time is an engaging time-time travel romance with charming characters, and an interesting portrayal of how an eighteenth-century lady adapts to a modern world—and a modern man. Time-travel romance is not my usual genre, however, as a first-time reader of B.W. Haggart, I was delighted with how the author portrayed Victoria Covington's struggles and adjustments to her new existence. The ofttimes gruff Sam Dalton sensed something wasn't quite right with Victoria's sudden appearance at Belton Park, but the offer she presented was too good to turn down. With rare and perfectly-timed circumstances, Victoria emerges from 1818 Belton Park to see Sam in the same place. This beings a journey and relationship between them that is filled with drama, humor, tenderness, and evident chemistry. Touching Time made me smile more than once and kept me hooked to the end. Touching Time Victoria Covington is mysteriously propelled two hundred years into the future. She must not only learn to live in the 21st century, but also keep her beloved Belton Park from being sold to a handsome, but ungentlemanly American, who simply wants the estate to further his own business plans. Victoria had given up hope of finding a husband among the heiress-hunting ton and contented herself living on her beloved family estate, Belton Park. When reality shifts around her, she doesn’t realize that she’s traveled to the year 2019. She is sure she’s going mad, but fortunately her distant cousin, the Viscount William Covington, recognizes her from her portrait, and guesses she is the famous family member who mysteriously vanished in 1818. Sam Dalton, a successful real estate developer from America, wants to refashion Belton Park into a conference center with a Regency theme. He is betting the future of his company on the acquisition. Victoria is shocked to learn the viscount is going to sell Belton Park to Dalton. She is determined to save her family lands while navigating modern society. Sam is just as determined to own Belton. Victoria must discover a way to keep Belton in the family while keeping her heart safe and reputation intact. BOOK INFO Genre: Romance/Time-Travel Release: October 20, 2021 Format Read: E-Book Source: Provided by the author or publisher Content Rating: 2 Hearts—Our hearts are aflutter. This author knows how to turn up the heat with some passionate kisses. Nothing graphic here! NOTE: Ratings are only provided for content (sex, violence, language, etc.). We do not give star ratings on this blog, though reviewers may do so on retail outlets and Goodreads. We review and share only those books we have enjoyed and think others will enjoy, too. Learn more . Books & Benches received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely the reviewer's.

A Reader's Opinion Kimberley Woodhouse transports readers to the Grand Canyon in A DEEP DIVIDE, a historical novel filled with stunning landscapes, excellent research, sweet romance, and a deeper message that translates off the page. The determined and intriguing heroine, Emma Grace, has spent years keeping a secret, and while her past experiences have led her to El Tovar as a Harvey Girl, she remains true to herself. When a mystery ensues, and all Emma Grace has strived to build in her life is threatened, she must use her wits to either remain hidden or confront her past. I enjoyed learning about moments in history I knew little about before reading A DEEP DIVIDE and appreciate the author's ability to seamlessly combine fact and fiction. There are strong religious elements in this book, and while at times they overpowered other parts of the story, the author did a wonderful job in conveying realistic struggles with powerful faith. I look forward to reading the next book in Woodhouse's Secrets of the Canyon series. A Deep Divide With her past behind her, she has nothing--and everything--to lose. After being kidnapped as a child, heiress Emma Grace McMurray has seen firsthand the devastation that greed causes in the world, and she wants nothing to do with it. When she discovers her father has offered her up as a bargaining chip to expand his empire, she disappears into the night. Determined to stay hidden, even if it means always looking over her shoulder, she finds herself working as a Harvey Girl at the El Tovar Hotel. When Ray Watkins arrives at the hotel on business, he is immediately captivated by the beauty of the Grand Canyon. Though his fame-seeking father aims to lure new investors to the Arizona Territory, Ray dreams of one day taking over the family business and doing good with the profits. Ray immediately admires Emma Grace, and though an attraction begins to form, she can't let go of the deep-rooted fear that he's just like every other wealthy man she's known. When suspicious activity follows Emma Grace and Ray to the El Tovar, they are pulled into a mystery that stirs up their worst fears. And as shocking revelations come to light, they are left to question all they thought to be true. BOOK INFO Genre: Historical Christian Romance Release: October 5, 2021 Format Read: E-Book Source: Provided by the publisher via NetGalley Content Rating: 1 Heart: This is a clean read appropriate for all adult audiences. May have sweet, clean kisses. NOTE: Ratings are only provided for content (sex, violence, language, etc.). We do not give star ratings on this blog, though reviewers may do so on retail outlets and Goodreads. We review and share only those books we have enjoyed and think others will enjoy, too. Learn more .

Join Inspector Michael Corravan in nineteenth-century London, as he unravels a troubling mystery before a killer can strike again. Don't miss Down a Dark River . Down a Dark River In the vein of C. S. Harris and Anne Perry, Karen Odden’s mystery introduces Inspector Michael Corravan as he investigates a string of vicious murders that has rocked Victorian London’s upper crust. London, 1878. One April morning, a small boat bearing a young woman’s corpse floats down the murky waters of the Thames. When the victim is identified as Rose Albert, daughter of a prominent judge, the Scotland Yard director gives the case to Michael Corravan, one of the only Senior Inspectors remaining after a corruption scandal the previous autumn left the division in ruins. Reluctantly, Corravan abandons his ongoing case, a search for the missing wife of a shipping magnate, handing it over to his young colleague, Mr. Stiles. An Irish former bare-knuckles boxer and dockworker from London’s seedy East End, Corravan has good street sense and an inspector’s knack for digging up clues. But he’s confounded when, a week later, a second woman is found dead in a rowboat, and then a third. The dead women seem to have no connection whatsoever. Meanwhile, Mr. Stiles makes an alarming discovery: the shipping magnate’s missing wife, Mrs. Beckford, may not have fled her house because she was insane, as her husband claims, and Mr. Beckford may not be the successful man of business that he appears to be. Slowly, it becomes clear that the river murders and the case of Mrs. Beckford may be linked through some terrible act of injustice in the past—for which someone has vowed a brutal vengeance. Now, with the newspapers once again trumpeting the Yard’s failures, Corravan must dredge up the truth—before London devolves into a state of panic and before the killer claims another innocent victim. AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | BAM | INDIEBOUND “Sparkling prose, vivid description, a haunting and satisfyingly complex story . . . Down a Dark River is a must read for fans of any genre of crime fiction.” —Edwin Hill, author of The Secrets We Share Q&A with Author Karen Odden Does writing energize or exhaust you? How or why? I had a friend ask me once, “Don’t you ever want to take a day off of writing, just for a break?” And I replied, “It’s sort of like brushing my teeth. I can skip a day, but it doesn’t feel good.” It’s the best answer I have. I’d say that writing is both the most energizing and one of the most exhausting things I’ve ever done. Writing is my daily practice, and it grounds me. On a typical day, I sit down at my desk by around 7:30 am to write or research, and five or six hours go by. Often, once I know my characters well, I put them in a room together and watch them moving and talking and gesturing, as if they’re in a movie, and I just write it all down. Sometimes I compose an entire chapter this way. I work for five or six hours, completely absorbed in that world … and suddenly I realize I’m really hungry. Then I look up at the clock, stretch my back, and realize I’m Done. Wiped. I cannot look at my screen one more minute. That’s when I get up and walk around (usually to the kitchen first!) and seek out people … real people who act in ways that surprise me, instead of characters in the movie that is going on in my head. I hike in the desert, or I call a friend or my husband or one of my kids, or I spend time with my 17-year-old beagle. For another kind of break from reading and writing, I go for things with textures—like the yarn of my crochet project (though I’m the world’s slowest crocheter) or the floury stickiness of the white chocolate and craisin scones I like to make. What makes DOWN A DARK RIVER special or unique to you? The plot leapt at me from a contemporary story that I couldn’t put out of my head. Six or seven years ago, I read an article about race and the law in the US that included an account of a young Black woman in the South who was jaywalking across a quiet street. She was hit by a white man who was driving too fast and under the influence of alcohol, although under the legal limit. She suffered in the hospital for two months with terrible injuries, but a judge in court awarded her only $2,000—ostensibly because she had been jaywalking. The injustice clawed at me. But even more striking to me was that her angry father threatened not the judge but the judge’s daughter—to make the judge understand what it was to almost lose a daughter. Reading that, it struck me that revenge is significantly more complicated than the brief phrase “an eye for an eye” suggests. Sometimes when justice fails at the level of the symbol (which is what monetary compensation, or an apology, or a guilty verdict is because none of them materially reverse the damage of broken bones), what we call “revenge” is sometimes a (problematic) attempt to communicate one’s experience to someone who, out of a lack of compassion or ignorance or willfulness, is refusing to acknowledge it. I think of this type of “revenge” as akin to taking someone by the shoulders and shaking him to make him pay attention. So I wanted to explore revenge, but in 1870s London. Who are your main characters? Tell as a little about what makes them tick. I’m a little bit in love with my Scotland Yard Inspector, Michael Corravan, who in 1878 is 31 years old and Irish, at a time when anti-Irish feeling in England is high. A former thief, bare-knuckles boxer, and dock worker, Corravan grew up in Whitechapel, not far from where Jack the Ripper murders would happen a decade later. Growing up poor and relatively powerless made Corravan scrappy, decisive, physically strong, and good with his knife. These are all traits that stand him in good stead as a policeman. But as his wise friend (and love interest) Belinda Gale points out, those traits limit Corravan as well. At one point she tells him, “You love to rescue people, which is all well and good—but part of the reason you love the role of rescuer is it means you never have to admit your own weakness and vulnerability.” Corravan initially scoffs at her insight, but he comes to realize she’s right, and he will not be able to solve this serial murder case—involving a man whose very rage derives from his own social and legal powerlessness—until Corravan remembers how it was to feel powerless himself, as a child and a young man. How does your faith life/ethical outlook inform your writing? I deeply believe in the power and importance of compassion and kindness. (The one trait I cannot abide is intentional, consistent unkindness.) I feel it’s important that we never reduce people to one aspect of their identity but instead view them in all their complexity. In my books, I strive to create characters with their own unique backstories and worldviews and motivations, and my main characters and even my secondary characters are often praised for being complex and well-developed. I also believe we should endeavor to resist thinking in those ugly binary terms of “us” versus “them.” Often this simply requires us finding common ground—which is one reason I chose a bridge for an important scene in Down a Dark River. In my daily life, I try to remember that most people are trying to do the best they can, just as I am. That’s one piece of common ground. Another is that we all make mistakes—sometimes significant ones that hurt the people we love. We’re evolving beings, so I don’t think it is fair to judge someone by their single worst action. Frankly, if I were judged solely by my worst actions, I’m not sure I’d have any friends. How did publishing your first book change your process of writing? Although previously I had published critical essays and articles in journals and introductions for Barnes & Noble classics, I think publishing my first book, A Lady in the Smoke , enabled me to start thinking of myself as a “Real Writer,” to give myself permission to prioritize writing over household chores, and to say, “I’m sorry, I can’t do X today, I need to write.” The pro of writing (as a career) is that it’s like water; it can exist almost anywhere and can accommodate the shape of everything else. This is also the con. As a writer, I found it sometimes difficult to make and hold boundaries. I work from home, and while I have an office, it doesn’t have a door, just an archway. So my kids and husband would just wander in to visit or chat … and I’d feel guilty saying, I can’t talk right now; I’m writing. Now I have this huge white bear named Glacinda (my son named her) that I put by the archway when I can’t be disturbed. Having that first publication also gave me the confidence to stretch myself in subsequent books and tackle themes outside of my comfort zone, to introduce myself to other writers, and to begin taking a small role in the professional community. It took me a long time to feel I was ready for a conference, but in October 2019, I attended my first Bouchercon, the international mystery writer’s conference, and to my delight, I found “my people.” The conference was not only a ton of fun; it opened my eyes to many ways to participate in and support others in the mystery community. Books & Benches: Thank you so much, Karen, for a fabulous Q&A filled with a lot of interesting responses. Congrats on Down a Dark River ! “A spellbinding, brilliantly plotted Victorian murder mystery, Karen Odden’s Down a Dark River features a fascinating and relatable detective, a cast of complex characters, powerful prose, exceptional attention to historical detail, and enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat until the last astonishing page. Highly recommended!”—Syrie James, bestselling author of The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte The Author Karen Odden earned her Ph.D. in English from New York University and subsequently taught literature at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She has contributed essays to numerous books and journals, written introductions for Victorian novels in the Barnes & Noble classics series, and edited for the journal Victorian Literature and Culture (Cambridge UP). Her previous novels, also set in 1870s London, have won awards for historical fiction and mystery. A member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime and the recipient of a grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts, Karen lives in Arizona with her family and her rescue beagle Rosy. WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS Publication Date: November 9, 2021 Crooked Lane Books Hardcover & eBook; 336 pages Series: An Inspector Corravan Mystery, Book One Genre: Historical Mystery Content Rating: PG-13, with non-descriptive sex and some violence. View our rating system Tour Giveaway Enter to win a copy of Down a Dark River by Karen Odden! The giveaway is open to the U.S. only and ends December 1, 2021. You must be 18 or older to enter. Void where prohibited by law. This giveaway is sponsored by the author and hosted by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours. Thank you for visiting and reading! Feel inspired? Want others to experience the book magic? We hope you'll support this author by sharing with your friends. Have you read the book? Let us know your thoughts!

Follow along with Eliza as she communes with restless spirits and uncovers the mysteries of Havenwood Manor, one gaslit room at a time. Parting the Veil Some houses hold secrets that are meant to be kept forever… Parting the Veil, a suspenseful gothic romance about a scandalous Gilded Age heiress who meets a charming British lord with a tragic past, only to discover dark family secrets hidden within his haunted manor, is coming to you from Lake Union Publishing this fall. When Eliza Sullivan inherits an estate from a recently deceased aunt, she leaves behind a grievous and guilt-ridden past in New Orleans for rural England and a fresh start. Eliza arrives at her new home and finds herself falling for the mysterious lord of Havenwood, Malcolm Winfield. Despite the sinister rumors that surround him, Eliza is drawn to his melancholy charm and his crumbling, once-beautiful mansion. With enough love, she thinks, both man and manor could be repaired. Not long into their marriage, Eliza fears that she should have listened to the locals. There’s something terribly wrong at Havenwood Manor: Forbidden rooms. Ghostly whispers in the shadows. Strangely guarded servants. And Malcolm’s threatening moods, as changeable as night and day. As Eliza delves deeper into Malcolm’s troubling history, the dark secrets she unearths gain a frightening power. Has she married a man or a monster? For Eliza, uncovering the truth will either save her or destroy her. AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | INDIEBOUND Q&A with Author Paulette Kennedy PARTING THE VEIL is a suspenseful Gothic romance about a Gilded Age heiress named Eliza Sullivan who travels to England to collect an inheritance and begin afresh. Upon arrival, she meets an eccentric viscount with a tragic past that mirrors her own. After a whirlwind courtship, they marry, only for her to discover his house is haunted by deadly family secrets. How did publishing your first book change your process of writing? I think it made me more organized and helped me learn to write on a deadline. Before I published PARTING THE VEIL, I was a “pantser” who would write only when I felt like it. It would take me years to draft a manuscript. Now, I’ve developed a set of skills that enable me to complete a novel more quickly with fewer revisions. I have every confidence that I can complete at least one novel a year now, and my current work-in-progress is ticking along really well. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a writer and a teacher. I homeschool my daughter and write full time, so I think my childhood dream has finally come full circle—at the age of 47! “An American heiress with a scandalous past meets a mysterious British lord in this swoon-worthy gothic thriller. Parting the Veil takes familiar plot elements—a ruined mansion, family secrets—and gives them a sexy, modern twist. This stunning debut from Paulette Kennedy kept me guessing until the very end!” —Elizabeth Blackwell, author of Red Mistress and On a Cold Dark Sea Which character was most challenging to create? I think Malcolm was the most challenging, because I wanted him to be nuanced and complex—a bit of a morally gray hero with many oppositional facets to his personality. I really tried to see him through Eliza’s eyes as I crafted his rather dramatic arc. Readers tell me that they have a love/hate relationship with his character, so I hope that means I pulled things off the way I intended. Which scene, character or plotline changed the most from first draft to published book? Eliza’s character arc changed the most dramatically between the first draft to publication. I really dove deep with her characterization after I got some early feedback that she was unlikeable. Now, readers seem to connect with her vulnerability, her trauma, and her resilience. She was a bit of a spoiled brat before, and now she’s a woman who has clearly defined principles and a wounded but passionate heart. She wants to believe the best about people and would do anything for those she loves. “A beautiful, crumbling mansion in the English countryside; a charming but enigmatic viscount; ghosts; rumors; and a labyrinth of dark secrets, lies, twists, and well-executed turns…As if that wasn’t enough, add rich atmosphere and an American-heiress heroine determined to settle her own future. Kennedy has crafted a delicious, romantic gothic mystery that will keep readers guessing even as they’re feverishly turning the final pages.” —Megan Chance, author of A Splendid Ruin The Author Writing historical fiction for the romantic-at-heart reader who craves page-turning twists and a touch of the supernatural, Paulette Kennedy infuses her stories with realistic detail to create a cinematic, immersive experience for the reader. As a history lover, she can get lost for days in her research—learning everything she can about the places in her novels and what her characters might have experienced in the past. Originally from the Missouri Ozarks, Paulette now lives with her family in a quiet suburb of Los Angeles. In her free time, she enjoys tending to her garden, knitting, and finding unique vintage treasures at thrift stores and flea markets WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS Publication Date: November 1, 2021 Lake Union Publishing Genre: Historical/Gothic/Romance Content Rating: PG-13 View our rating system Tour Giveaway Enter to win a copy of Parting the Veil by Paulette Kennedy! The giveaway is open to the U.S. only and ends November 12, 2021. You must be 18 or older to enter. Void where prohibited by law. This giveaway is sponsored by the author and hosted by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours. Thank you for visiting and reading! Feel inspired? Want others to experience the book magic? We hope you'll support this author by sharing with your friends. Have you read the book? Let us know your thoughts!

Do you enjoy a new book as much as we do? We love rereading our favorite books over and over, but there is something about discovering a fabulous new book we can't resist . . . so we won't try. We're delighted to share great reads you'll want to add to your TBR pile. Check out Alexa Aston's newest installment in her Sagebrush Bride series. Written in the Cards An independent woman discovering herself as she travels through the American West. A man of integrity broken by events in his past—and on the run from a bloodthirsty killer. Two individuals drawn together who find a love that can never be . . . Maggie Rutherford jilts her too-perfect society groom at the altar and flees New York for the American West, where she turns her travels into dime novels that she writes and illustrates under the pen name Lud Madison. After the Civil War, veteran Ben Morgan marries his childhood sweetheart and takes her to homestead on the Great Plains. Losing her and their unborn child in an Indian attack, Ben detaches from emotion and becomes a roaming gambler. When he kills a cheating opponent in self-defense, the man’s gunslinger brother swears revenge upon Ben. Ben hides on a cattle drive and brings in a herd to Abilene, where a waiting Maggie wants to find a rough and tumble cowboy to interview for her next story idea. Sparks fly as the dangerous drover and popular novelist wind up living in the same household, running a general store east of Abilene. But with Black Tex Lonnegan hot on his trail, will Ben run from his growing attraction to Maggie and the gunfighter’s promise of death—or will he make a stand for his life—and love? *This is a revised edition of Written in the Cards , which was originally released under the pen name Lauren Linwood. Get Your Copy Meet the Author Award-winning and internationally bestselling author Alexa Aston lives with her husband in a Dallas suburb, where she eats her fair share of dark chocolate and plots out stories while she walks every morning. She’s a binge fiend (The Crown and Ozark are favorites) who enjoys travel, sports, and time with her family. Her historical romances bring to life loveable rogues and dashing knights, while her contemporary romances are light and flirty and sometimes contain a bit of suspense. Her series include Dukes of Distinction, Soldiers & Soulmates, Lawmen of the West, Hollywood Name Game, The St. Clairs, Knights of Honor, The King's Cousins, The de Wolfes of Esterley Castle, Sagebrush Brides, and Dukes Gone Wrong. Website: alexaaston.com Genre: Historical Western Romance Type: Novel Series: Sagebrush Brides Publication date: November 2, 2021 Content Rating: 4 Hearts: We're getting hot in here! These characters know how to have a good time. Lucky for us, they don't go into too much detail. R (1): Descriptive Sex and Violence View rating system

Voting is open for the November 2021 book cover contest. View the finalists, support these terrific authors, and c ast your vote on the cover contest page.

Congratulations to Kathryn Springer, author of The Gathering Table , winner of the October 2021 Readers' Choice Cover Contest! Thank you to all those who voted and supported the wonderful authors and their books! Want to keep helping authors? Share this post and their books with your friends! A little book love goes a long way. Vote in the new cover contest > BOOK INFO Title: The Gathering Table Author: Kathryn Springer Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction Release: September 28, 2021

Do you enjoy a new book as much as we do? We love rereading our favorite books over and over, but there is something about discovering a fabulous new book we can't resist . . . so we won't try. We're delighted to share great reads you'll want to add to your TBR pile. Check out these great new books! The Path Not Taken October 26, 2021 A second chance to follow her heart… in this novel by USA TODAY bestselling author Ruth Logan Herne She never thought she’d see him again… Or tell him they have a son. Ten years ago, Devlyn McCabe refused to let her secret—their child—be the reason Ryland Bauer stayed. Now Rye’s back to make an offer on her property, and she can’t keep hiding the truth. Rye will do anything to be part of his son’s life. But he’ll have to reveal the real reason he left if he wants them to become a family… From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope. Get Your Copy The Curse of Morton Abbey October 26, 2021 Solicitor Vaughan Springthorpe knows perfectly well that Sir Peter Spencer’s offer of employment seems too good to be true: he hires her sight unseen, offering a suspiciously large salary to prepare the sale of Morton Abbey, his crumbling Yorkshire estate. But few people in late-Victorian England will entrust their legal affairs to a woman, and Vaughan is desperate to prove herself. Once at Morton, Vaughan discovers that someone is determined to drive her away. An intruder tries to enter her bedroom at night, gunshots are fired outside her window, and an eerie crying echoes from the uninhabited second floor. Even Netherton, the nearest village, seems odd: the picturesque houses and perfect-looking families are haunted by dark secrets connected to Morton Abbey itself. To complete her work and solve the mystery at the heart of Morton, Vaughan needs the help of Joe Dixon, the handsome gardener, and Nicholas Spencer, her employer’s irascible invalid brother. But with her questions diverted, her progress thwarted, and her sleep disrupted by the crying, will Vaughan escape Morton Abbey with her sanity intact or be cursed by the secrets within? Get Your Copy Sleigh Bells Ring October 26, 2021 Solicitor Vaughan Springthorpe knows perfectly well that Sir Peter Spencer’s offer of employment seems too good to be true: he hires her sight unseen, offering a suspiciously large salary to prepare the sale of Morton Abbey, his crumbling Yorkshire estate. But few people in late-Victorian England will entrust their legal affairs to a woman, and Vaughan is desperate to prove herself. Once at Morton, Vaughan discovers that someone is determined to drive her away. An intruder tries to enter her bedroom at night, gunshots are fired outside her window, and an eerie crying echoes from the uninhabited second floor. Even Netherton, the nearest village, seems odd: the picturesque houses and perfect-looking families are haunted by dark secrets connected to Morton Abbey itself. To complete her work and solve the mystery at the heart of Morton, Vaughan needs the help of Joe Dixon, the handsome gardener, and Nicholas Spencer, her employer’s irascible invalid brother. But with her questions diverted, her progress thwarted, and her sleep disrupted by the crying, will Vaughan escape Morton Abbey with her sanity intact or be cursed by the secrets within? Get Your Copy The Cornish Princess October 26, 2021 Long before there was a Winter King, there was a Summer Queen—Gwendolyn of Cornwall, a fierce warrior princess who raised an army to unite a nation. If you love British lore and ever longed to dive headlong into its spirit… If you hoped to meet the “tribe of the gods” who ruled Ireland and indelibly left their mark upon the British Isles… If you’re ready to embark on a magical journey into the dawn of Britain… If you can find it in yourself to trust me as your storyteller and leave all expectations behind… join me for a rollercoaster ride through history. Said to be a changeling child left to the King and Queen of Cornwall, Gwendolyn is “blessed” at her cradle by three Fae gifts: a prophecy for her future, a gift of “Reflection,” and a golden mane—quite literally, every lock of her hair will turn to gold, only provided it is cut by her one true love. Yet no one understands more than Gwendolyn that her blessings are actually curses. Any man who gazes upon her will see his own heart reflected in her countenance, and depending upon his virtue, she is the loveliest woman in all the land… or the most hideous. It's a cruel jest of the capricious Fae, for unless a man's heart be true, Gwendolyn is destined to be coveted for her crown, but despised for her face. To make matters worse, Gwendolyn's ailing father is desperate for an alliance with King Brutus of Loegria. “The Romans are coming!” and according to the Goldenchild Prophecy, only by uniting their dragon banners can they stem the Red Tide. Offered to Brutus’s ambitious son, Prince Locrinus, Gwendolyn’s heart is tempted by a mysterious, maddening half-blood Fae who she can never wed if she is to fulfill her crib side prophecy. Get Your Copy The Last Goodnight October 26, 2021 A thrilling new suspense novel from the bestselling author of The Perfect Murder that fans of Jayne Ann Krentz and Laura Griffin won’t want to miss! A cold case is heating up, and with another body turning up, one woman is hot on the trail of a killer…with the help of the rancher who hired her to deliver justice. When Kade Logan said goodbye to his estranged wife eight years ago, he never thought it would be the last time he saw her alive. Now her car has been hauled out of a nearby lake and Kade is determined to track down the man who murdered her. Enter Eleanor Bowman, a talented private investigator who’s about to stir up a hornet’s nest on his Colorado ranch. With old scandals still buzzing about his late wife’s many affairs and new violence erupting, Kade is faced with the discovery of another beautiful woman’s body. Are the two killings linked? Who is the man who seduced, then murdered both victims? Ellie believes they are dangerously close to the truth. From corporate Denver high-rises to posh Vail mansions, Kade and Ellie sense the killer is closing in again, and this time Ellie is the target. Kade must risk everything to save the woman he’s coming to love—before she becomes the next one to die . . . Get Your Copy Unmasking Deception October 26, 2021 “Exactly how desperate are you?” Escaping to Maida Pleasure Gardens for an evening of anonymous moonlight waltzing is bliss for Viola Dove, compared to the strained formality of her first London Season. But the excitement reaches fever pitch when an escaped convict is pursued through the gardens – wounded and in desperate need of help. So, of course, Viola hides him in her family’s cellar. Lord Dominic Gorse, the rakehell son of a marquis, is ill-suited to confinement, whether in Newgate or a surprisingly comfortable cellar, cared for by the beautiful, intriguing Viola, a parcel of lively children, and a very large puppy. Viola sees beneath Dominic’s layers of charm and trouble to the man beneath, and sets out to help prove his innocence. But is she right to trust the handsome, volatile stranger with whom she is falling hopelessly in love? Is he using her for his own ends, or is there a deeper, deadlier deceit at work? One they need to expose to have any chance of happiness… Get Your Copy Happy Reading!

When the wise woman Magda Digby is suspected of murder, Owen Archer sets out to prove her innocence in this intricately plotted medieval mystery. Go to: About the Book | Excerpt | The Author | Limited Time Giveaway The Riverwoman's Dragon May, 1375. Owen Archer returns from London to find York in chaos. While the citizens are living in terror of the pestilence which is spreading throughout the land, a new physician has arrived, whipping up fear and suspicion against traditional healers and midwives. With the backing of the new archbishop, he is especially hostile towards Magda Digby, the wise woman who has helped and healed the people of York for many years. At the same time, Magda is uneasy about the arrival of two long-lost kinsfolk. Though they say they are seeking her help, she senses a hidden agenda. Magda’s troubles deepen when she discovers a body in the river near her home – and finds herself under suspicion of murder. Days later, fire rips through a warehouse in the city. Amongst the charred debris lies the body of a man – not burned, but stabbed in the back. Could there be a connection to the corpse in the river? Determined to prove Magda’s innocence, Owen sets out to find answers – but the more he uncovers, the deeper the mystery becomes . . . AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | INDIEBOUND Enjoy an Excerpt from The Riverwoman's Dragon York, mid May 1375 Water was her element, despite the fiery reputation. In the liminal light of late evening she played in the River Ouse, leaving a trail of silver droplets as she arched and dove, reemerging from the peat-brown water, shaking her head, arching and diving once more, circling the rock that had been her home this long while. The ease, the grace, the joy of movement reminded Magda Digby of a time when her own body sliced through chilly waters alongside the most beautiful man she had ever known. She followed the happy memory as a scent on the wind and a taste of salt in the brown water signaled the turning of the tide in the loamy water of the Ouse. Until the gentle splash of an oar called her back to her seat in the doorway of her home on the rocky island in the Ouse. Slipping back onto the roof, the dragon gave one more shake, droplets raining down on Magda, and resumed her watch. A coracle emerged from the fog thrown up by the dragon play. Magda wondered whether it would be Sten. For why else the recent tidal wave of memories? But he had doubtless died of old age years ago. Their son? She walked to the edge of the rock, calling to the passenger to toss her the line. As she secured it on the stake driven into the rock she noted that the river lad’s companion was too short to be Sten. Their son? Grandson? There must be a reason Sten haunted her dreams. But as he turned to toss the line she saw that her visitor had nothing to do with her distant past. It was Sam Toller, Guthlac Wolcott’s factor, or agent for trade, his face creased with worry as he disembarked. She might guess that at last old Guthlac had let go the incompetent leech attending him and sent for her but that Sam pulsed with fear for himself, his family…and her. Perhaps the leech had stirred up more trouble? Or was she sensing Sam’s fear of the pestilence? Both, most likely. End of Excerpt. The Riverwoman’s Drago n ©2021 Candace Robb. Shared with permission. The Author I’m Candace Robb , a writer/historian engaged in creating fiction about the late middle ages with a large cast of characters with whom I enjoy spending my days. Two series, the Owen Archer mysteries and the Kate Clifford mysteries, are set in late medieval York. The Margaret Kerr trilogy is set in early 14th century Scotland, at the beginning of the Wars of Independence. Two standalone novels (published under pseudonym Emma Campion) expand on the lives of two women in the court of King Edward III who have fascinated me ever since I first encountered them in history and fiction. I am a dreamer. Writing, gardening, walking, dancing, reading, being with friends—there’s always a dreaming element. WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | BOOKBUB Genre: Historical Mystery Publisher: Severn House Series: (Book 13 in the Owen Archer series) Release: June 1, 2021 Type: Novel Content Rating: View our rating system Go to: About the Book | Excerpt | Top of Post Limited-Time Giveaway Enter to win a copy of The Riverwoman’s Dragon by Candace Robb! We have 1 copy available to the US and 1 to the UK. The giveaway ends November 1, 2021. You must be 18 or older to enter. Void where prohibited by law. This giveaway is sponsored by the author and hosted by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours. Thank you for visiting and reading! Feel inspired? Want others to experience the book magic? We hope you'll support this author by sharing with your friends. Have you read the book? Let us know your thoughts!

A Reader's Opinion His White Wager is an entertaining and exciting read! I loved the romanticism of Rebecca and Jacob’s fun story. The plot is full of wonderfully descriptive details that kept the book moving along at a great pace. The characters shared plenty of moments of both intensity and dry humor. The romance was charming and moved at a slow burn, which I really liked, and there’s even a touch of intrigue mixed in. With all these fantastic elements, the author has written an engaging story that will please readers of Regency romance. His White Wager She’s no lady… Rebecca White makes her own way. She’ll dress as a man to support her mother if she chooses, she’ll participate in illegal gaming if it pleases her, and she’ll even cheat a lord now and then if the idea catches her fancy. But what she didn’t count on was an entire family of White’s tracking her down and being just as stubborn and independent as—well—herself. Nor did she bet on their handsome lawyer, Jacob Veritas, stirring feelings that have no place in her life. He’s the perfect gentleman… Which is why he can’t understand his instant attraction to the delicate beauty, Rebecca White. Yes, she is strong, capable, smart as hell, and exciting beyond measure. But he’s a man who lives by the law and Rebecca, she’s never met a rule she didn’t wish to break. But as her world begins to crumble about her, Jacob can’t help himself, he has to rescue her. The law is a pillar after all and if it can hold up society, surely it can aid one woman in need? But his heart, there might be no saving that. BOOK INFO Genre: Regency Romance Release: November 9, 2021 Format Read: E-Book Source: Provided by the author or publisher Reviewed by: Rainelle Content Rating: 5 Hearts—Pull out your fans and grab a glass of ice cold water because this book is steaming hot! One or more graphic sex scenes. NOTE: Ratings are only provided for content (sex, violence, language, etc.). We do not give star ratings on this blog, though reviewers may do so on retail outlets and Goodreads. We review and share only those books we have enjoyed and think others will enjoy, too. Learn more .

Will Vaughan escape Morton Abbey with her sanity intact or be cursed by the secrets within? Enjoy a peek at Clarissa Harwood's "atmospheric gothic novel," The Curse of Morton Abbey . Go to: About the Book | In the Author's Words | Excerpt | The Author The Curse of Morton Abbey Solicitor Vaughan Springthorpe knows perfectly well that Sir Peter Spencer’s offer of employment seems too good to be true: he hires her sight unseen, offering a suspiciously large salary to prepare the sale of Morton Abbey, his crumbling Yorkshire estate. But few people in late-Victorian England will entrust their legal affairs to a woman, and Vaughan is desperate to prove herself. Once at Morton, Vaughan discovers that someone is determined to drive her away. An intruder tries to enter her bedroom at night, gunshots are fired outside her window, and an eerie crying echoes from the uninhabited second floor. Even Netherton, the nearest village, seems odd: the picturesque houses and perfect-looking families are haunted by dark secrets connected to Morton Abbey itself. To complete her work and solve the mystery at the heart of Morton, Vaughan needs the help of Joe Dixon, the handsome gardener, and Nicholas Spencer, her employer’s irascible invalid brother. But with her questions diverted, her progress thwarted, and her sleep disrupted by the crying, will Vaughan escape Morton Abbey with her sanity intact or be cursed by the secrets within? Amazon | Apple | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Google | Goodreads “A pacey Victorian Gothic full of suspense, romance, and a refreshing amount of feminist sensibility. A resounding five stars!” —Terry Lynn Thomas, USA Today bestselling author In the author's words . . . The inspiration for this novel came to me many years ago in a most unlikely place: a stuffy campus classroom where my students were feverishly writing the final exam for my children’s literature course. I watched them fidget and stare into space or at the ceiling as if hoping the answers would magically appear there, likely dreaming of the summer and freedom awaiting them on the other side of the door. Some students finished early, unable to resist the siren song of freedom even though their answers would likely be incomplete and rushed. I started marking those. One essay answer was about Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden . In the middle of the essay I looked up and stared into space myself, arrested by an idea: What if the child protagonists of Burnett’s novel were adults? What would they be like? And my brain exploded with the first ideas for what became The Curse of Morton Abbey. Enjoy an Excerpt from The Curse of Morton Abbey I flung myself through the open doorway, shut the door, and with shaking fingers, locked myself inside. “Miss Springthorpe! Open the door at once!” Bedford demanded. I ignored him and took in my surroundings. The warmth was the first thing I noticed because every other part of the house, except the kitchen, was cold. There was a crackling fire on the hearth, and though it was daylight outside, the heavy floor-to-ceiling velvet curtains were firmly closed. A tray of untouched food was set on the night table by the bed. Sitting on the bed, propped up by pillows, was a man. Not much of him was visible. Despite the warm room, he was wearing a heavy dressing gown, a night-cap pulled low over his brow, and a thick muffler around his neck. Nevertheless, I believed his gaunt face was the same one I had seen looking out of the window the morning after I had arrived at Morton Abbey. “Good God,” he said. His voice was stronger than I would have expected from an invalid. I took a step closer to the bed. My feet sank into a thick carpet, and the firelight played on the polished mahogany furnishings. Instead of the sickroom smells of medication and unpleasant body odours I’d expected, the room smelled faintly of sandalwood. “I’m Miss Vaughan Springthorpe,” I said. “I’ll be damned if you are. Come closer so I can see you.” I limped towards him, stopping a few feet from the bed. Whether he was mad or just ill, he didn’t look strong enough to hurt me. “What’s the matter with your leg?” he demanded. “Nothing that need concern you.” To avoid his asking further unwelcome questions, I added quickly and unnecessarily, “I assume you’re Mr. Spencer.” Now that I was closer to him, I noticed that his eyes were unusually light-coloured and fringed with thick black lashes. It was impossible to determine his age. From Mrs. Wilson’s mention that she had known Nicholas and Peter Spencer when they were boys, I assumed they were both relatively young, but even in the dim light cast by the fire, I could see that this man’s skin looked strangely like old parchment, and his beard was streaked with grey. Perhaps Mrs. Wilson had been only a girl when she first came to work for the Spencer family. If that were the case, the brothers could be in their late fifties or even early sixties. “If you tell me your real name, I’ll tell you mine.” He looked towards the doorway, from whence the sounds of Bedford’s protests still issued, and shouted, “For God’s sake, Bedford, cease that racket! I’ll take care of this.” Bedford complied. “I told you my real name,” I said. “I’ve never heard anything so idiotic. Vaughan is a surname. Have you no Christian name?” “I don’t know why you should care one way or the other.” I did indeed have a Christian name, but nobody ever called me by it, and I wasn’t about to tell him what it was. “I don’t care. Perhaps you could suggest an appropriate subject for conversation between a sick man who is trying to get some rest and an intruder who has locked his trusted servant out of his room.” He coughed, then pointed to the glass of water on his bedside table. “Give me that.” Although I was irritated by his imperious manner, I handed him the glass, felt icy fingers brush mine, then stepped out of reach. I didn’t want to be caught off guard in case he lunged at me. “What’s your illness?” I asked. “It is none of your business. What are you doing here?” “By ‘here’ do you mean in this room or at Morton Abbey?” “In this room, of course. What sort of fool do you take me for? I know you are at Morton for my brother’s money. That’s why all the so-called solicitors come here. You’ll last no longer than the others. A few more days at most.” “You’re wrong,” I said firmly. “I’ll stay until I’ve completed the work, no matter what you or anyone else in this house does to try to frighten me away.” End of Excerpt. Excerpt Copyright © Clarissa Harwood. Shared with permission. "Clarissa Harwood proves herself to be a mistress of romantic suspense in The Curse of Morton Abbey , a delectably gothic page-turner. With echoes of The Secret Garden and the Brontës, The Curse of Morton Abbey will keep you reading late into the night to uncover its dark final twists. Fans of Hester Fox and Mimi Matthews will want to devour this one!”—Kris Waldherr, author of The Lost History of Dreams and Doomed Queens The Author Clarissa Harwood is the author of Impossible Saints and Bear No Malice . She “deftly blends social realism with fairytale lyricism,” according to the Historical Novels Review (Editor’s Choice). She holds a PhD in English Literature with a specialization in nineteenth-century British literature and lives in Ontario, Canada, with her husband and three neurotic cats. Find her at clarissaharwood.com . Genre: Historical Mystery Publisher: Thornfield Press Release: October 26, 2021 Type: Novel Content Rating: PG-13 (2): No Sex; Some Violence | 2 Hearts: Our hearts are aflutter. This author knows how to turn up the heat with some passionate kisses. Nothing graphic here! View our rating system Go to: About the Book | In the Author's Words | Excerpt | Top of Post Thank you for visiting and reading! Feel inspired? Want others to experience the book magic? We hope you'll support this author by sharing with your friends. Have you read the book? Let us know your thoughts!

A soft-spoken man, a hardened woman, and the friends that stand by them as they work toward a common purpose in A Lady in Attendance by Rachel Fordham. Go to: About the Book | Excerpt | The Author | Limited Time Giveaway A Lady in Attendance Five years in a New York state reformatory have left a blemish on Hazel’s real name. So when she takes a job as Doctor Gilbert Watts’s lady in attendance in 1898, she does so under an alias. In the presence of her quiet and pious employer, Hazel finds more than an income. She finds a friend and a hope that if she can set her tarnished past in order, she might have a future after all. As Gilbert becomes accustomed to the pleasant chatter of his new dental assistant, he can’t help but sense something secretive about her. Perhaps there is more to this woman than meets the eye. Can the questions that loom between them ever be answered? Or will the deeds of days gone by forever rob the future of its possibilities? Rachel Fordham pens a tender tale of a soft-spoken man, a hardened woman, and the friends that stand by them as they work toward a common purpose–to expunge the record of someone society deemed beyond saving–and perhaps find love along the way. “ A Lady in Attendance draws you in from the first page and leaves you captivated until the oh-so-romantic conclusion. A poignant and beautifully written story of faith, forgiveness, and the healing power of love.”–Mimi Matthews, USA Today bestselling author AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | BOOKS-A-MILLION Enjoy an Excerpt from A Lady in Attendance Amherst, New York, 1898 “Have you worked as a lady in attendance before?” Hazel forced her eyes to remain on the man opposite her and made herself appear confident and at ease. It was no easy task, considering how long it had been since she’d been in such close proximity to a man who wasn’t a guard. Nothing about Doctor Watts was overly intimidating, yet her heart raced as she searched for an adequate response. Her eyes betrayed her and darted away, landing on a painting above his head. A lush, green landscape. Peaceful, serene, calm. Something her life hadn’t been in a long time, not since before— “I wish I could tell you I had years of experience, but the truth is that I’ve never spent one day, not even one moment, as a lady in attendance. From what I understand, not many women have.” She sighed, worried her chances at a dignified job were over with the confession. Since leaving the reformatory, she’d already faced a slew of rejections and disappointments. Leaning forward, she said, “I have spent time in the medical field and know how to care for patients.” She winced, knowing she was stretching the truth—a habit she’d fought to leave behind. Her uncle was a doctor, and she had spent a summer in his home. That counted toward medical exposure, did it not? “You’re correct. It’s quite new.” His soft but steady voice interrupted her thoughts. “I try to keep up on what’s working in dentistry, and there has been much success found in hiring help. It will not be long before it is the normal way of doing things.” His words came slowly, as though speaking to her made him uneasy. Even his posture screamed of nervousness—­his long fingers wringing together in his lap and the way he shifted about in his seat. “You say you’ve been involved in the medical community. That will help.” He nodded his head, a small smile pulling at the corners of his mouth, and with it her hope grew. “I don’t see the need to interview anyone else. Nursing experience is better than nothing at all. You may begin tomorrow.” Thrilled by his words, she grinned. A real, legitimate job—­her first! “Thank you,” she said, rising from her seat so quickly the chair nearly overturned. “You won’t be sorry. I can learn quickly, and I’ll work hard. I’ll work so hard. Oh, thank you. To work here is more than I could have hoped for.” “Just one more thing.” His cheeks took on a slight pink hue similar to the shade of dress she’d often worn as a girl. The uneasiness she’d sensed in him multiplied tenfold. “Yes?” He shook his head and turned away. “Never mind. It’s nothing. I look forward to having your help.” “Do you have a concern?” “Well, yes. I suppose I do.” He stood on his long legs and paced behind his desk. “I’ve never worked with anyone other than my father before he died. Since then, it’s just been me and my patients. I . . . well, I’m not sure how exactly to go about it. We’ll be in close proximity and . . .” “Yes?” she said when he paused, unsure what it was he was afraid of. She’d given him no reason to suspect she had a shameful past, had she? “What is it?” “It’s just . . . I don’t want things to get uncomfortable. That’s all.” From the looks of it, he was already distressed over the matter. He cleared his throat. “I see the advantages of hiring help, but I’ve heard stories. I need not go into what I’ve heard, but . . . there are potential problems with having a woman in the office.” “Problems?” Sweat beaded on his forehead. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped it. “There will be no . . . no extra affection given to patients . . . you know what I’m saying, what I mean?” “I understand, and I assure you it won’t be a problem.” “And . . . and, well, my father told me that . . . he said I ought to always be honest from the start.” The pink in his cheeks deepened. “I feel it important to say that I have every intention of remaining unattached. We will be professional in our relationship, keeping firm boundaries. Never overstepping the lines of propriety.” He wiped again at his perspiring forehead. “I apologize for my bluntness.” Hazel bit hard on her bottom lip so she wouldn’t laugh. She needed this job and couldn’t lose it on account of one ill-­timed guffaw. Little did he know she was the last person he needed to worry about. All the romantic ambitions she’d held long ago had been put to rest and replaced by much simpler dreams. Now she craved a future unblemished by the past, enough bread to eat, and to be reconciled with her family. Beyond that, she dared not hope. She politely put her hand out to him. It dangled in the air only a moment before he took it, his large hand enveloping her much smaller one. “You needn’t worry on that account. I have no motives other than working.” He seemed to relax. “I’m sorry, it’s just I’ve had a whole slew of ladies stopping in about the position, and most of them are young. The way they spoke and giggled unnerved me. Some even had mothers with them asking after my personal affairs. It has left me with my guard up.” “Please, be at ease.” Hazel smiled, still delighted with the prospect of real work. “I’m twenty-­five, well past my youthful years.” She swallowed, knowing she ought to say so much more about her past, but voicing it was not an option. Her past, her identity, and especially her years behind those iron gates could not be mentioned, not if she wanted to remain employed and off the streets. “I assure you, ours will be a most proper arrangement.” “I believe we’ll work well together,” he said in his soft way. “Let me show you around the office.” “What shall I call you?” she asked before they’d gotten very far. “Should I call you Doctor Watts at all times?” He ran a hand through his dark hair. “I suppose you could call me Gilbert when it’s just the two of us. First names wouldn’t be crossing any lines, considering we will be colleagues in a sense. But Doctor Watts would be more appropriate when we are working around patients. Does that suit you?” “Any name will do. I simply wondered what you would prefer.” Gilbert, she said in her mind. They were hardly acquainted, yet she already felt that his name fit him. It seemed like a gentle, friendly name. “And I will introduce you as my lady in attendance, Miss McDowell.” She flinched at the pseudonym, looked toward the door, and for a moment thought of running away from the shame she felt, hating herself for the lie. Regret once again swept over her, churning inside until she feared she would be sick. Life outside the reformatory walls was supposed to be fresh and new, but already she’d soiled it with a falsehood. She blinked quickly, trying to still the rush of emotion. She’d lied, it was true, but what options did she have? In two other towns she’d asked after work and been swiftly rejected when she told them her story. “Call me Hazel whenever you’d like. I prefer it.” “Very well, Hazel. Here is where our patients come in and wait if we are busy.” He motioned around the small front room that consisted of four wooden chairs set against a scuffed cream-­colored wall. In truth, the room would have been forgettable if not for the vibrant paintings that added luscious colors, warm and rich, to the small space. Without intending to, Hazel sighed. “I was so nervous waiting to meet with you that I didn’t notice the paintings before. They’re exquisite.” Gilbert looked from Hazel to the paintings. “Thank you. I’m glad you find them pleasing.” He motioned for her to follow. “You’ll greet our patients, and when I am ready, you’ll bring them back.” They stepped past the front counter and walked to the back of the office. “I have one chair here that reclines, and it’s where we do our actual work. In this next room, I have a cot, so if someone needs time to recover before leaving, they may rest there. Your job will be seeing to patients before and after they come to me. I like to help everyone be comfortable, but I’ll work faster if you can help me with that. You’ll also hand me instruments as necessary.” “I can do all that.” She pointed toward a door. “What’s down the hall?” “That’s the room where I make bridges and dentures. I call it my art room.” His gaze stayed on the door at the end of the hall, giving her a moment to study him. He reminded her of someone, but she couldn’t peg down who. She’d guess he was thirty, give or take a year or two. He was tall, much taller than she was, with a lean build and long arms and legs. His rich dark hair was in need of a cut and his clothes were in need of ironing, but even with him being slightly disheveled, she still found him a handsome man who was shy and unsuspecting. Why was he a dentist? Teeth and mouths were far from exciting. In her case, the work was a necessity, and being a woman, her options were limited, but he could have been anything. A commanding lawyer or a dashing doctor. She pushed the thought aside, realizing it was a tad early to judge his motives. “Is there anything else I should know?” Hazel asked, breaking the silence. “Most of it I’ll teach you as we go. But, well, I do want you to know that my patients—­ours, now—­matter a great deal to me. I want them to have the best care.” She stepped a little closer to him and with genuine conviction said, “Then that is what I will give them.” He held her gaze and nodded. “I believe you will. We discussed the particulars when you first arrived. I’ll show you tomorrow where we clean the instruments and how to keep notes. If you have no questions, then I think it is settled. I appreciate your help.” Glancing once more around the room, she admired other paintings that hung throughout the simple but comfortable building. Working with him did not seem daunting, and neither did filling her days attending to the patients’ needs. She could do this. There had been a time in her life when it would have been an ill fit, but now, she felt immense gratitude. The patients did not scare her, and the teeth, well, she’d manage. Perhaps Providence had led her down Front Street on the very day Gilbert Watts was interviewing for a reason. A pleasant warmth filled her heart, and for a moment she felt less alone and less afraid. Grinning, she said, “I’m very thankful. I’ll be here tomorrow.” End of Excerpt. Rachel Fordham, A Lady in Attendance . Revel, a division of Baker Publishing Group. June 1, 2021. Used by Permission. The Author Rachel Fordham has long been fascinated by all things historical or in the words of her children “old stuff”. Often the historical trivia she discovers is woven into her children’s bedtime tales. Despite her love for good stories she didn’t attempt writing a novel until her husband challenged her to do so (and now she’s so glad he did). Since that time she’s often been found typing or researching while her youngest child naps or frantically writing plot twists while she waits in the school pick-up line. In addition to her passion for storytelling she enjoys reading, being outdoors and seeing new places. Rachel lives with her husband and children on an island in Washington state. Learn more about current projects at rachelfordham.com . You can also follow Rachel on Facebook , Instagram , BookBub , and Goodreads . Genre: Historical Fiction/Christian/Romance Publisher: Revel Release: June 1, 2021 Type: Novel Content Rating: 2 Hearts View our rating system Go to: About the Book | Excerpt | Top of Post Limited-Time Giveaway Enter to win a copy of A Lady in Attendance by Rachel Fordham! The giveaway is open to the US only and ends November 5, 2021. You must be 18 or older to enter. Void where prohibited by law. This giveaway is sponsored by the author and hosted by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours. Thank you for visiting and reading! Feel inspired? Want others to experience the book magic? We hope you'll support this author by sharing with your friends. Have you read the book? Let us know your thoughts!