IN THE SHADOW OF A QUEEN By Heather B Moore

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Shadow Mountain (October 4, 2022)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1639930507

#IntheShadowofaQueen, #HeatherBMoore, #HistoricalFiction, #VictorianFiction, #BiographicalFiction, #Bookstagram, @authorhbmoore, @shadowmountainpub, @austenprose

Based on the true story of the free-spirited daughter of Queen Victoria.
Princess Louise’s life is upended after her father’s untimely death. Captive to the queen’s overwhelming mourning, Louise is forbidden to leave her mother’s tight circle of control and is eventually relegated to the position of personal secretary to her mother—the same position each of her sisters held until they were married.

Already an accomplished painter, Louise risks the queen’s wrath by exploring the art of sculpting, an activity viewed as unbefitting a woman. When Louise involves herself in the day’s political matters, including championing the career of a female doctor and communicating with suffragettes, the queen lays down the law to stop her and devotes her full energy to finding an acceptable match for her defiant daughter.

Louise is considered the most beautiful and talented daughter of Queen Victoria, but finding a match for the princess is no easy feat. Protocols are broken, and Louise exerts her own will as she tries to find an open-minded husband who will support her free spirit.

In the Shadow of a Queen is the story of a battle of wills between two women: a daughter determined to forge her own life beyond the shadow of her mother, and a queen resolved to keep the Crown’s reputation unsullied no matter the cost.

MY REVIEW:

Reading about royalty had always fascinated me. As a commoner, being allowed a glimpse of their extravagant lives of privilege, wealth, and the unattainable, are what my dreams were made of. That is why reading IN THE SHADOW OF A QUEEN was so interesting to me, because of the life of Princess Louise, who is clearly the anti-princess and also somewhat of a hero to me. Princess Louise's life truly is quite a story to be told, and Heather B. Moore did this amazing justice. I enjoyed every bit of this book. 

About the Author:

Heather B. Moore is a USA Today bestselling author of more than ninety publications. Heather writes primarily historical and #herstory fiction about the humanity and heroism of the everyday person. Publishing in a breadth of genres, Heather dives into the hearts and souls of her characters, meshing her love of research with her love of storytelling.

Her historicals and thrillers are written under pen name H.B. Moore. She writes women's fiction, romance and inspirational non-fiction under Heather B. Moore, and . . . speculative fiction under Jane Redd. This can all be confusing, so her kids just call her Mom. Heather attended Cairo American College in Egypt and the Anglican School of Jerusalem in Israel. Despite failing her high school AP English exam, Heather persevered and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University in something other than English.

Please join Heather's email list at: HBMoore.com/contact/

Website: HBMoore.com

Twitter: @heatherbmoore

Instagram: @authorhbmoore

Facebook: Fans of Heather B. Moore

And yes, the Blog still lives: MyWritersLair.blogspot.com

Literary honors: 2020 Goodreads Choice Award Semi-Finalist, Foreword 2020 INDIES Finalist, ALA Best New Books - September 2020, 6-time Best of State Recipient for Best in Literary Arts, 2019 Maggie Award Winner, 4-time Whitney Award Winner, and 2-time Golden Quill Award Winner.

A DRESS OF VIOLET TAFFETA by: Tessa Arlen @BerkleyPub, @Austenprose

 

·         Title: A Dress of Violet Taffeta: A Novel

·         Author: Tessa Arlen

·         Genre: Historical Fiction

·         Publisher: ‎Berkley (July 5, 2022)

·         Length: (352) pages

·         Format: Trade paperback, eBook, & audiobook 

·         ISBN: 978-0593436851

·         Tour Dates: June 27-July 11, 2022

BOOK DESCRIPTION

A sumptuous novel based on the fascinating true story of La Belle Époque icon Lucy, Lady Duff Gordon, who shattered the boundaries of fashion with her magnificently sensual and enchantingly unique designs.

Lucy Duff Gordon knows she is talented. She sees color, light, and texture in ways few people can begin to imagine. But is the male dominated world of haute couture, who would use her art for their own gain, ready for her?
 
When she is deserted by her wealthy husband, Lucy is left penniless with an aging mother and her five-year-old daughter to support. Desperate to survive, Lucy turns to her one true talent to make a living. As a little girl, the dresses she made for her dolls were the envy of her group of playmates. Now, she uses her creative designs and her remarkable eye for color to take her place in the fashion world—failure is not an option. 
 
Then, on a frigid night in 1912, Lucy’s life changes once more, when she becomes one of 706 people to survive the sinking of the Titanic. She could never have imagined the effects the disaster would have on her fashion label Lucile, her marriage to her second husband, and her legacy. But no matter what life throws at her, Lucy will live on as a trailblazing and innovative fashion icon, never letting go of what she worked so hard to earn.

 

ADVANCE PRAISE

“Fans of the 1991 BBC series The House of Eliott will find familiar comfort in Arlen’s descriptions of fabrics, colorworks, and evolving fashions.” —Library Journal

“Tessa Arlen’s novel is as elegant as a Lucille gown, full of movement, color and beauty…For anyone interested in fashion, in the Gilded Age, in stories about strong, visionary woman, Tessa Arlen’s novel is a must read!” —Jeanne Mackin, author of The Last Collection

“A sumptuous treat of elegant prose, evocative descriptions, and compelling emotions. Arlen’s writing absolutely shines.” —Anna Lee Huber, USA TODAY Bestselling author of A Perilous Perspective

“Tessa Arlen delivers a fascinating tale based on the real-life fashion icon, Lucy, Lady Duff-Gordon, who went up against a male dominated industry and revolutionized it…A must read for fashion fans everywhere.” —Renee Rosen, USA Today bestselling author of The Social Graces

“…written in a sumptuous, engaging style that appeals to all the senses and brings Lucy, her creations, and her world vividly alive.” —Alyssa Maxwell, author of The Gilded Newport Mysteries

 

PURCHASE LINKS

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 MY REVIEW:

I have always loved reading about fashion in the books I read, and this time, this story is about the icon of British fashion of the 19th and 20th century, Lady Lucy Duff Gordon. In addition to her fashion sense and style, she is one of the surviving passengers of the Titanic in 1912. Lucille is definitely a woman well ahead of her time, with a male dominated fashion industry, she is considered a trailblazer despite having to make her own way even after her cheating wealthy husband leaves her. 

Lucille's life is not only a study in resilience despite harrowing circumstances, but she is also a woman determined to succeed with whatever she has - her talents, creativity, and finding opportunities and to never give up.

I found the writing enthralling, and inspirational. The descriptions were immersive and really drew me into the Belle Epoque era, including the sights, sounds, and textures. This very well researched story was astounding and such a joy to read.

AUTHOR BIO

Tessa Arlen writes historical fiction when she is not toiling away in her garden. She is the author of the Edwardian mystery series: Lady Montfort and Mrs. Jackson; the Woman of World War II mystery series. Poppy Redfern. And two standalone historical novels: In Royal Service to the Queen, and A Dress of Violet Taffeta.

 

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EXCLUSIVE AUTHOR INTERVIEW

 

·         Read an in-depth interview with author Tessa Arlen revealing insights into her new historical fiction novel, A Dress of Violet Taffeta. 

7/15/21 JOHN EYRE By Mimi Matthews @MimiMatthewsEsq #JohnEyre, #HistoricalRomance, #HistoricalFiction, #GothicRomance, #ParanormalRomance, #MimiMatthews, #BookTour

 

·         Title: John Eyre: A Tale of Darkness and Shadow

·         Author: Mimi Matthews

·         Genre: historical fiction, Gothic romance, paranormal fiction

·         Publisher: Perfectly Proper Press (July 20, 2021)

·         Length: (364) pages

·         Hardcover ISBN: 978-1736080207

·         Trade Paperback ISBN: 978-1736080221

·         eBook ASIN: B08NPLVHVN

·         Tour Dates:  July 12 – 25, 2021

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Yorkshire, 1843. When disgraced former schoolmaster John Eyre arrives at Thornfield Hall to take up a position as tutor to two peculiar young boys, he enters a world unlike any he's ever known. Darkness abounds, punctuated by odd bumps in the night, strange creatures on the moor, and a sinister silver mist that never seems to dissipate. And at the center of it all, John's new employer—a widow as alluring as she is mysterious.

 

Sixteen months earlier, heiress Bertha Mason embarked on the journey of a lifetime. Marriage wasn't on her itinerary, but on meeting the enigmatic Edward Rochester, she's powerless to resist his preternatural charm. In letters and journal entries, she records the story of their rapidly disintegrating life together, and of her gradual realization that Mr. Rochester isn't quite the man he appears to be. In fact, he may not be a man at all.

 

From a cliff-top fortress on the Black Sea coast to an isolated estate in rural England, John and Bertha contend with secrets, danger, and the eternal struggle between light and darkness. Can they help each other vanquish the demons of the past? Or are some evils simply too powerful to conquer?

ADVANCE PRAISE

“Bertha Mason Rochester shines, dominating her scenes with vitality and strength. The style, too, is spot-on, reprising the spirit of 19th-century Gothic prose without descending into mimicry.”— Publishers Weekly

“An entertaining spin on a classic with thrilling twists and turns…Matthews skillfully transforms a well-known story into a truly original tale.”— Kirkus

“[Matthews] retells Charlotte Bronte's classic story in a way that will keep fans of the original novel totally gripped from cover to cover... Fresh and dynamic... Fast-paced and spellbinding...a book you will have a hard time putting down.”— Readers Favorite

“One of the most moving, suspenseful, innovative and remarkable retellings of a classic in the history of, well, ever... Every page is sheer rapture as [Matthews] moulds popular source material into a spell-binding creation so wholly her own.”— Rachel McMillan, bestselling author of The London Restoration

“[A] captivating and ingenious retelling of Jane Eyre with a supernatural twist. Smart, suspenseful, and deliciously spooky, JOHN EYRE is a must-read; I loved everything about it!”— Ashley Weaver, author of the Amory Ames Mysteries and the Electra McDonnell series

MY REVIEW

I loved Jane Eyre and I loved this re-telling - with all the gothic atmosphere you come to expect with a little bit more - supernatural. I found this read to be riveting and uniquely original that Mimi Matthews adoringly wrote to perfection. I absolutely love it and I am delighted with this retelling I am recommending this to everyone!

I was so absorbed into the story and somehow Matthews continued the story for me in ways that I had questioned reading Jane Eyre in the past. The what ifs.... and here it is delivered in the most monumental of ways while combining two classical works of fiction into a book that will runt he test of time. 

The writing is impeccable and John Eyre is an enthralling read - historical and classics readers will have a hard time putting this book down.

All the stars for this book.

AUTHOR BIO

USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews writes both historical nonfiction and award-winning proper Regency and Victorian romances. Her novels have received starred reviews in Library Journal and Publishers Weekly, and her articles have been featured on the Victorian Web, the Journal of Victorian Culture, and in syndication at BUST Magazine. In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes a Sheltie, and two Siamese cats.

 

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GOODREADS

 

 

TOUR BLURB

 

Join the virtual book tour of JOHN EYRE: A TALE OF DARKNESS AND SHADOW, Mimi Matthews’ highly acclaimed Bronte-inspired Gothic romance, July 12-25, 2021. Thirty-five popular on-line influencers specializing in historical fiction, Gothic romance, and paranormal fiction will join in the celebration of its release with an interview, spotlights, exclusive excerpt, and reviews of this new Victorian-era novel set in Yorkshire, England.

 

 

TOUR SCHEDULE

                  

July 12           The Caffeinated Bibliophile (review)    

July 12           Syrie James (review)        

July 12           Austenprose—A Jane Austen Blog (review) 

July 13           Bronte Blog (interview)

July 13           Laura's Reviews (review) 

July 13           All-of-a-Kind Mom (spotlight)

July 14           Gwendalyn's Books (review)      

July 14           Austenesque Reviews (review) 

July 15           Bookworm Lisa (review)  

July 15           Nurse Bookie (review)      

July 16           Savvy Verse and Wit (excerpt)

July 16           The Lit Bitch (review)       

July 17           My Bookish Bliss (review)           

July 17           From the TBR Pile (review)         

July 18           Rosanne E. Lortz (review)           

July 18           Books, Teacups, & Reviews (review)   

July 19           The Secret Victorianist (review)

July 19           Christian Chick's Thoughts (review)    

July 19           The Gothic Library (review)        

July 20           Getting Your Read On (review)  

July 20           The Silver Petticoat Review (review)    

July 20           Lu Reviews Books (review)        

July 21           Scuffed Slippers and Wormy Books (spotlight)

July 21           The Green Mockingbird (review)           

July 22           Unabridged Chick (review)         

July 22           A Darn Good Read (review)

July 23           Kathleen Flynn (review)   

July 23           So Little Time… (review) 

July 23           The Calico Critic (review)

July 24           The Bronte Babe (review)

July 24           Probably at the Library (review)

July 24           Impressions in Ink (review)

July 25           From Pemberley to Milton (review)       

July 25           Vesper's Place (review)    

July 25           Cup of Tea with that Book Please (review)    

                       

 

PURCHASE LINKS

 

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP

| GOODREADS

12/01/2020 BLOG TOUR for GENTLEMAN JIM: A Tale of Romance and Revenge By MIMI MATTHEWS

 

Title: Gentleman Jim: A Tale of Romance and Revenge
Author: Mimi Matthews
Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Regency Romance
Publisher: Perfectly Proper Press (November 10, 2020)
Length: (376) pages
Trade Paperback ISBN: 978-1733056991
eBook ASIN: B0842YLCNF
Tour Dates: November 9 – December 6, 2020


She Couldn't Forget...

Wealthy squire's daughter Margaret Honeywell was always meant to marry her neighbor, Frederick Burton-Smythe, but it's bastard-born Nicholas Seaton who has her heart. Raised alongside her on her father's estate, Nick is the rumored son of notorious highwayman Gentleman Jim. When Fred frames him for theft, Nick escapes into the night, vowing to find his legendary sire. But Nick never returns. A decade later, he's long been presumed dead.

He Wouldn't Forgive...

After years spent on the continent, John Beresford, Viscount St. Clare has finally come home to England. Tall, blond, and dangerous, he's on a mission to restore his family's honor. If he can mete out a bit of revenge along the way, so much the better. But he hasn't reckoned for Maggie Honeywell. She's bold and beautiful--and entirely convinced he's someone else.

As danger closes in, St. Clare is torn between love and vengeance. Will he sacrifice one to gain other? Or, with a little daring, will he find a way to have them both?





ADVANCE PRAISE

"Tartly elegant. . . A vigorous, sparkling, and entertaining love story with plenty of Austen-ite wit."— Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Matthews ups the ante with a wildly suspenseful romance..."— Library Journal, starred review

"Equally passionate and powerful...Mimi Matthews proves once again that she is a master of historical fiction in Gentleman Jim."— Readers' Favorite

"Rollicking and romantic, passionate and intriguing...Regency romance does not get any better than Gentleman Jim."— Relz Reviewz

MY REVIEW:

I was craving for a Regency era romance and revenge, and Mimi Matthews delivered on this wonderfully addictive and suspenseful historical fiction, Gentleman Jim. 

When Margaret Honeywell's father dies, it was willed that she is to marry her neighbor, Frederick Burton-Smythe or lose all her assets. Her heart had always been set on Nicholas Seaton, the estate groom, rumored to be the illegitimate son of a notorious highwayman Gentleman Jim, who had been long gone, never returned, and presumed dead. 

I absolutely loved and enjoyed this book for the lovable and relatable heroine, a long lost love and fake identity trope, childhood friendship, second chance romance, and a villain that creeps under your skin. 

I could not stop turning the pages fast enough as I was swooning over Maggie and Nicholas' chemistry, their passion and love for each other. His return back to England and the twists and turns that follows is just written so remarkably I was hooked from the start. 

Matthews not only immersed me into the Regency era but also brought me alongside the characters that I loved reading about. Maggie is one of those characters that will stay with you long after you read this book and I thought she was so well written and really captured my heart alongside Nicholas as he rights all the wrong that has been done to him.

This was such a fantastic read I highly recommend - the romance is absolutely breathtaking as is many of the scenes in the book that read like a movie. This was an amazing read and should not be passed up especially if you enjoy reading historical fiction with amazing characters full of depth and heart.

AUTHOR BIO: 

USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews writes both historical nonfiction and award-winning proper Victorian romances. Her novels have received starred reviews in Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and Kirkus, and her articles have been featured on the Victorian Web, the Journal of Victorian Culture, and in syndication at BUST Magazine. In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes a retired Andalusian dressage horse, a Sheltie, and two Siamese cats. Her next romance, The Siren of Sussex, will be out in 2022 from Berkley/Penguin Random House.



WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | BOOKBUB |

GOODREADS

BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE:



Nov 09 Relz Reviewz (Character Spotlight)

Nov 09 Life of Literature (Review)

Nov 09 Austenprose—A Jane Austen Blog (Review)

Nov 10 Savvy Verse and Wit (Interview)

Nov 10 Greenish Bookshelf (Review)

Nov 11 Library of Clean Reads (Review)

Nov 11 Silver Petticoat Reviews (Excerpt)

Nov 12 Bookworm Lisa (Review)

Nov 12 Heidi Reads (Review)

Nov 13 Lu's Reviews (Review)

Nov 14 The Green Mockingbird (Review)

Nov 15 Bookish Rantings (Review)

Nov 15 The Lit Bitch (Review)

Nov 16 The Historical Fiction Reader (Review)

Nov 16 Austenesque Reviews (Review)

Nov 17 Inkwell Inspirations (Review)

Nov 17 Robin Loves Reading (Review)

Nov 18 Christian Chick's Thoughts (Review)

Nov 18 My Jane Austen Book Club (Excerpt)

Nov 19 Laura's Reviews (Review)

Nov 20 Jorie Loves a Story (Spotlight)

Nov 20 Foxes and Fairy Tales (Review)

Nov 21 Gwendalyn's Books (Excerpt)

Nov 22 Romantically Inclined Reviews (Review)

Nov 22 Book Confessions of an Ex-Ballerina (Review)

Nov 22 Vesper's Place (Spotlight)

Nov 23 Fiction Aficionado (Review)

Nov 23 Historical Fiction with Spirit (Review)

Nov 24 Let Them Read Books (Interview)

Nov 25 The Caffeinated Bibliophile (Review)

Nov 25 So Little Time… (Spotlight)

Nov 27 Among the Reads (Review)

Nov 28 Chicks, Rogues and Scandals (Review)

Nov 29 Book Bustle (Review)

Nov 30 Cup of Tea with that Book Please (Review)

Dec 01 Nurse Bookie (Review)

Dec 02 Confessions of a Book Addict (Review)

Dec 02 Impressions in Ink (Review)

Dec 03 From Pemberley to Milton (Review)

Dec 04 Relz Reviewz (Review)

Dec 04 Rosanne E. Lortz (Review)

Dec 05 Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen (Review)

Dec 05 Probably at the Library (Review)

Dec 06 The Calico Critic (Excerpt)


PURCHASE LINKS:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | INDIEBOUND | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS


SOCIAL MEDIA:

· Twitter handles: @MimiMatthewsEsq