Sunday, January 17, 2021

01.17.2021 Georgana's Secret @Austenprose

 


Title: Georgana's Secret (Proper Romance Regency)
Author: Arlem Hawks
Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Inspirational Fiction
Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing (January 12, 2021)
Length: (320) pages
Trade Paperback ISBN: 978-1629727929
eBook ASIN: B08Q5MW1SG
Audiobook ASIN: B08RLRZ65Q
Tour Dates: January 11 – February 14, 2021 

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

A Regency romance on the high seas. Two hearts yearning to find a safe harbor, and possibly, a lasting love.

As a young girl, Georgana Woodall dreamed of beautiful dresses, fancy balls, and falling in love. However, when her mother dies, she cannot face a future under the guardianship of her abusive grandmother and instead chooses to join her father on his ship disguised as his cabin boy, "George."

Lieutenant Dominic Peyton has no time in his life for love, not with his dedication to His Majesty's Royal Navy claiming his full attention. While trying to adjust to a new crew, he strives to be an exemplary officer and leader. When he sees the captain's cabin boy being harassed by the crew, he immediately puts a stop to it and takes the "boy" under his wing. After discovering a number of clues, Dominic deduces that George is really a woman. Knowing that revealing the cabin boy's secret would put her in serious danger from the rowdy crew, Dominic keeps silent and hides his growing affection for her.

Georgana is quickly losing her heart to Dominic's compassion and care but is convinced nothing can come of her affection. She cannot continue to live her life on the sea, and having already missed too many seasons in London, her chances of being welcomed back into polite society and finding a suitable husband are quickly slipping away.

 

ADVANCE PRAISE:

"Hawks crafts a spellbinding tale featuring rich characters and raw emotions set against the atmospheric backdrop of sea life in all its danger and beauty. Georgana is a tough protagonist holding her own in a world dominated by men, while Peyton's charm and sensitivity marks him as a true gentleman. A hidden identity, flirtation, and treachery make for a rousing tale to captivate lovers of historical romances."— Publishers Weekly

“This tale felt sweepingly cinematic at times and was both action-packed and heart-wrenching with an immersive narrative.”— Katie Jackson, RegencyProofreading.com

Arlem Hawks wove a magnificent tale of adventure and deception and delivered a happy ever after that was as unconventional as the rest of the story. With so many stories of romance out there, it is refreshing when one comes along that is very different than the stories that I am used to. A little adventure always livens things up fabulously.”— Emily Flynn, Reading with Emily

"Fans of sweet love stories as well as readers who fondly remember those marvelous old traditional Signet Regencies will quickly succumb to the siren song of Hawk’s expertly crafted novel, which delivers the perfect blend of Jane Austen-smart romance and Patrick O’Brian flavored seafaring adventure. Teen romance readers will cheer on the plucky heroine as she finds the courage to forge her own path in life and love."— Booklist, starred review




MY REVIEW:

Georgana’s Secret by Ariel Hawks was the very first book I chose to read for 2021. There has been an amazing growth and popularity for the readership of Regency romance as of late and I really wanted to read more of this genre this year. I am so glad I did, since I devoured this book over the holiday weekend - loving the characters and the exciting story of how Georgana’s disguise as George was discovered while a budding romance ensued. Georgana’s character stayed with me long after I read the book. Her strength and determination really showed how she was a woman well ahead of her time and one of my favorite heroines in recent reads.

Haws wrote a spellbinding proper Regency romance story set in the high seas 1811. I thought this was a fun read where a young woman, Georgana Woodall disguised herself as the Captain’s cabin boy ‘George’ to sail with his father, the Captain of the ship to escape her abusive grandmother whom she had to live with when her mother passed away. Leaving one abusive situation was quickly replaced by another, among the ships’ crew who was jealous of George’s favor with the Captain. Lieutenant Dominic Peyton witness to the bullying by some members of the crew takes George under his wing teaching self defense and survival skills while in the ship. What happens next is a sweet and tender romance as Dominic discovers Georgana’s secret.

I thought the writing was immersive and rich in accurate historical detail. I think young adult readers will really enjoy this sweet story and amazing well written characters. The reality and hardship of life in the ship made me flinch and broke my heart for how a young woman chooses to remain in hiding to be with her father enduring all the abuse, rather than being in London society at the time. I really appreciated how Hawks wrote Georgana’s character so well into the story.

I really loved and enjoyed this book.

Thank you Laurel Ann Nattress @austenprose for having me in this blog tour.
 

AUTHOR BIO:



Arlem Hawks began making up stories before she could write. Living all over the Western United States and traveling around the world gave her a love of cultures and people and the stories they have to tell. With her travels came an interest in history, especially the history of her English heritage. When she isn't writing, Arlem is baking her characters' favorite foods, sewing Regency dresses, learning how to play the tin whistle, and water coloring. She lives in Arizona with her husband and two children. Having previously published four historical romance novellas, Georgana’s Secret is her debut novel.

 

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THE BLOG TOUR BLURB:

 

Join the virtual blog tour of GEORGANA’S SECRET (Proper Romance Regency), Arlem Hawks’ highly acclaimed debut historical romance novel January 11 – February 14, 2021. Over forty-five popular blogs specializing in historical romance, inspirational fiction, and Austenesque fiction will join in the celebration of its release with excerpts, spotlights, and reviews of this new Regency-era novel set aboard a Royal Naval ship.

 


BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE:

 

Jan 11            My Jane Austen Book Club                                Excerpt

Jan 11            Austenprose — A Jane Austen Blog               Review

Jan 12            Wishful Endings                                                     Review

Jan 12            Lu Reviews Books                                                 Review

Jan 13            Lady with a Quill                                                     Review

Jan 13            Timeless Novels                                                     Review

Jan 14            Reading is My Superpower                                 Review

Jan 14            The Bibliophile Files                                             Review

Jan 15            Randi Loves 2 Read                                              Review

Jan 16            The Christian Fiction Girl                                     Excerpt

Jan 17            Nurse Bookie                                                          Review

Jan 18            The Silver Petticoat Review                                Review

Jan 18            Heidi Reads                                                             Review

Jan 19            Bookfoolery                                                             Review

Jan 20            Captivated Reading                                               Review

Jan 21            Greenish Bookshelf                                              Review

Jan 21            Bookworm Lisa                                                      Review

Jan 22            Among the Reads                                                 Review

Jan 23            Gwedalyn's Books                                                 Review

Jan 24            My Bookish Bliss                                                   Review

Jan 25            Wishful Endings                                                     Excerpt

Jan 25            Christian Chick's Thoughts                                Review

Jan 26            Relz Reviewz                                                           Review

Jan 27            The Lit Bitch                                                            Review

Jan 28            Reading with Emily                                                Review

Jan 29            Books, Teacups & Reviews                                Review

Jan 30            A Darn Good Read                                                 Review

Jan 31            From Pemberley to Milton                                   Spotlight

Jan 31            Impressions in Ink                                                 Review

Feb 01            Austenesque Reviews                                          Review

Feb 02            Laura's Reviews                                                     Review

Feb 03            Literary Time Out                                                   Review

Feb 04            Chicks, Rogues & Scandals                               Excerpt

Feb 05            The Bluestocking                                                   Review

Feb 05            Library of Clean Reads                                        Review

Feb 06            The Caffeinated Bibliophile                                 Spotlight

Feb 07            So Little Time…                                                      Spotlight

Feb 08            The Readathon                                                       Review

Feb 09            The Book Diva Reads                                           Excerpt

Feb 09            Books and Socks Rock                                        Review

Feb 10            Our Book Confessions                                         Review

Feb 10            Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen       Spotlight

Feb 11            Rosanne E. Lortz                                                   Review

Feb 11            Jorie Loves a Story                                               Review

Feb 12            Fire & Ice                                                                  Excerpt

Feb 13            Cup of Tea with that Book, Please                    Review

Feb 14            Book Confessions of an Ex-ballerina               Review

 

 

PURCHASE LINKS:

 

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP

| INDIEBOUND | DESERET BOOK | GOODREADS

1 comment:

  1. Great review, Michelle. I am so glad you enjoyed it too. Best, LA

    ReplyDelete

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