Bookish Thoughts and a blog tour/giveaway! Glass Across the Sea

 

"Darkness cannot hide light forever - it will merely delay

it for a little while."

About the Book

Book: Glass Across the Sea

Author: Sara Ella

Genre: YA Cinderella Retelling (Fantasy)

Release Date: October 21, 2025

Light always finds a way to break free . . .

Noelle Perrault has felt drawn to the tales her glassmaker father told of the four Firefly artisans since she was a child. But when her mother falls under a curse, Noelle suspects the stories are more than mere fables. Their last hope is for her father to embark on a desperate journey to another realm, where he must seek a miracle. Alone but not defenseless, Noelle is forced to navigate battles that rise against her beloved home, while her dearest friend, the prince, vows to help her father.

Dante Marin is a prince prepared to bear the crown. But the king offers an ultimatum: find the fabled Firefly Vestiges, believed to hold the Lamplighter’s ancient power, or forfeit the crown. Only then will Dante be considered worthy of his birthright and given the freedom to choose his bride. But how does one hunt down a legend?

Connected by the past, but forced apart in the present, Noelle and Dante must discover the truth about the Firefly and Vestiges before they lose all hope—and each other—for good. But breaking a curse comes at a great sacrifice—one neither of them predicted. With a mysterious foe rising to power, will they survive, let alone succeed? Or will darkness shroud their future, shattering the light they’ve striven to restore?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Once upon a time, Sara Ella brought dreams to life as a Disney cast member, wishing for the day she’d find her prince and live in a castle of her own. Now she spends her days homeschooling her three Jedi in training, braving the Arizona summers, and reminding her superhero husband that it’s almost Christmas (even if it’s only January). Sara is the award-winning author of The Wonderland Trials, Coral, and the Unblemished trilogy. She is old enough for fairy tales and believes happily ever after is never far away.

More from Sara

Whenever I start writing a new story, I always comb the internet for the perfect images to represent my characters. Sometimes it’s an actress or actor who fits the character description. Other times, I’ll find some artwork or a painting that fits the picture I have in my mind.

But when it came to finding the right image to represent Noelle Perrault, the protagonist of Glass Across the Sea, I could not for the life of me find what I was looking for. Partly because the heroine is heavily based on my oldest daughter, who shares the same name. No image online was good enough to represent a character and novel dedicated to her.

And then I found this painting titled “Cinderella’s New Day” by artist Heather Edwards back in 2023.

And that was it! “So This is Love” from Disney’s animated classic began playing in my head, and I knew I’d found the image I would keep in my mind for the duration of writing my Cinderella retelling.

This depiction is soft and sweet and felt personal in a way a photo of an actress didn’t. I also felt this painting captured the character and personality of my heroine in a way that would keep me going, even on my most difficult writing days.

Fast forward to 2024. I was behind on my book deadline and life’s interruptions kept getting in the way of my writing. I felt depleted and almost asked my publisher to cancel my contract. But then I attended an event where this same artist had her work on display, and there it was. The real-life, in-person canvas of this very same painting.

That moment felt like God was reminding me He had called me to write this book in the first place. That He had a plan for it and wanted me to keep going. This very painting is the reason I added this line to Glass Across the Sea:

“Art, in her view, was never a laughing matter. A piece might evoke hope in one while it produced sorrow in the heart of another. It was the same for music. For dance.”

And then came 2025. A year of grief and loss in many ways for our family. Once again, everything was getting in the way of this story ever making it to print. And, once again, I considered maybe it was not meant to be published after all. Through many tears and long nights, I revised, pushing to meet deadlines. I questioned if it was worth it. I questioned my own strength and writing abilities, only to be reminded that it is only through God’s grace and Christ’s strength I can do anything at all.

I came across this painting in person again this year at that same event. And, just as it had done in the past, this painting reminded me there was a “new day” just around the corner. My best friend, Nadine Brandes (she knows me so well), surprised me with a signed and personalized canvas print that day. The timing could not have been more perfect.

This painting is more than just a reminder to “have courage and be kind.” It’s a testament to God’s goodness and faithfulness, even amidst darkness and pain. My prayer for Glass Across the Sea is that it blesses readers in the same way this painting has blessed me. Wherever you find yourself today, I hope you keep going and trust the Lord to give you what you need in the moment you need it. In my experience, He often reveals Himself in the unexpected corners and small moments I least suspect.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, October 25

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, October 25

Inspired by Fiction, October 26

Wishful Endings, October 27

The Lofty Pages, October 27

Library Lady's Kid Lit, October 28

Debbie's Dusty Deliberations, October 29 (spotlight)

Devoted Steps, October 29

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 30

For Him and My Family, October 31

Paula's Pad of Inspiration, November 1

Blogging with Carol, November 1

Inklings and Notions, November 2

Book Butterfly in Dreamland, November 3

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 3

Labor Not in Vain, November 4

CeCe Reads and Sings November 4 (TikTok)

Holly's Book Corner, November 5

To Everything There Is A Season, November 6

Min Reads and Reviews, November 7

Giveaway! 

To celebrate her tour Sara is giving away the grand prize of a signed hardcover of Glass Across the Sea with Painted Edges designed by @hilltop_art, Glass Across the Sea themed candle from @lamplighterliterary, and a $25 Disney Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/3d286/glass-across-the-sea-celebration-tour-giveaway

My Thoughts:

This book was my first foray into Sara Ella’s writing and it definitely will not be the last! I know, you may be thinking “another Cinderella story?  Really?  Aren’t there at least 100 of those now?”  To which I would nod my head and say “probably.”  But, I do have to say, of all of the Cinderella stories I’ve read/watched to date, this one is definitely unique from its predecessors. Which is what caught my attention to begin with.  Truthfully, if I hadn’t known it was a Cinderella retelling, I don’t know that I would have connected the dots straightaway.  There are enough similarities to definitely call it such, but I found Ms. Ella’s take on the story so intriguing on its own, that the retelling part became an aside in my mind.

Going into this book, I had an idea in my mind of what was going to happen or how it would all make sense.  I honestly don’t know why I had that, as I’m assuredly not any sort of expert on fantasy novels, but I did.  And trying to hold that idea in my mind made it really hard for me to follow the story, at first.  I really struggled through the first couple chapters of more detailed world building, but once I was able to just follow the story and enjoy it, rather than trying to sort out what might be a link to Cinderella, I adored the story!  I found it so creative, with a complex storyline that seems to be carrying over to at least one more book, and compelling characters. Also, trying to follow all of the lore for the Firefly and the Vestiges made me want a pen and notebook to keep it straight.  Let alone trying to explain it all to my husband!  His look of complete puzzlement was totally worth it.

Something I find fascinating about fantasy novels is that they don’t really have to follow any of the regular rules of realistic novels.  So I was constantly surprised by how the author worked this or that out or how we got to this place from what was just happening moments before.  And it seemed to mostly make sense, within the world she had created, though I confess that I am still a little fuzzy about part of the ending.  Maybe I just need to reread the entire story and I’ll find that I missed some small detail that will make everything make sense.

I’m being deliberately vague, as I don’t want to risk spoiling anything.  So, if you enjoy clean YA fantasy with a complex storyline and wonderfully compelling and realistic characters, then I would highly recommend this book!  I personally am awaiting the next story with curious anticipation (what will happen next??)!

As always, thank you so much for taking the time to stop by! I hope you'll consider visiting the other blog stops and entering the giveaway for this fun and compelling book!

Bookish Thoughts: The Collector Of Burned Books

 

"If you're going to rail against injustice, then at least

know what deserves your ire.  Not that a few copies of books

were burned - but that the people danced around the pyre."

Description:

Paris, 1940. Ever since the Nazi Party began burning books, German writers exiled for their opinions or heritage have been taking up residence in Paris. There they opened a library meant to celebrate the freedom of ideas and gathered every book on the banned list . . . and even incognito versions of the forbidden books that were smuggled back into Germany.

For the last six years, Corinne Bastien has been reading those books and making that library a second home. But when the German army takes possession of Paris, she loses access to the library and all the secrets she’d hidden there. Secrets the Allies will need if they have any hope of liberating the city she calls home.

Christian Bauer may be German, but he never wanted anything to do with the Nazi Party—he is a professor, one who’s done his best to protect his family as well as the books that were a threat to Nazi ideals. But when Goebbels sends him to Paris to handle the “relocation” of France’s libraries, he’s forced into an army uniform and given a rank he doesn’t want. In Paris, he tries to protect whoever and whatever he can from the madness of the Party and preserve the ideas that Germans will need again when that madness is over, and maybe find a lost piece of his heart.

You can purchase a copy here!

(at the time I'm posting this, I'm having difficultly getting Ms. White's website to load, so I'm not able to link it like usual, but hopefully whatever the glitch, it'll be working for you!)

About the Author:

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com. 

My Thoughts:

“When a people stopped entertaining opposing ideas, when they condemned the different as evil, then it was a short step from closed-minded to violently oppressive.” - Christian Bauer

This book was one where I was so happy to have both the paper and the ebook.  I enjoy using ebooks to highlight and make notes that I wouldn’t usually mark in paper books.  And there were so many thoughts, quotes, lines, just like the one above that just begged to be highlighted and remembered!

  I’ve been a huge fan of Ms. White’s books for over a decade now, so when she announced that she was writing a book set during WWII, with a Nazi for one of the main characters, I lined up for a pre-order.  And I’m so glad that I did!  This book was a little different from some of her previous books, a little more directly Catholic (as a Protestant, this personally didn’t bother me), and so very challenging with its both very direct and sometimes subtle messages about truth and fighting for freedom, including the freedom of thought and writing.  Something that was just  the same?  The author’s beautiful writing that drew me in so quickly to a world of war, words, love, and beauty in the brokenness. 

"'I think,' he said slowly, 'that the words we hear,

the words we read, the words we sing along to on the radio

and study in the papers with our morning coffee, become our thoughts.

I think our thoughts become our beliefs. And I think our beliefs become our actions.'"

  I was left with such a book hangover after finishing this one, as I mulled over the ideas the story shared and I had to rethink a few views/opinions I had previously held.  Now I feel challenged to go find a few of those burned books and see what Corinne and Christian were talking about!  Speaking of, I absolutely adored Corinne and Christian!  I never thought I’d consider writing that about a character in a Nazi uniform, but as the story points out, people are always more than the color of their uniform, the heritage of their last name, or the way in which they speak, if you’re willing to look beyond it.  And as both Corinne and I got to know the man inside of the uniform, we couldn’t help but love him.  And his heart-wrenching secrets.  And his noble, honest heart.

  I do have to say, the ending of the book was both so perfectly fitting, but also not quite what I was hoping for or expecting.  But it did show Christian’s honorable heart and motives, in the face of adversity.  So while I maybe would have “liked” a more romantic ending, I do believe this one suited the characters and the story much better. 

  Overall, if you enjoy WWII fiction that is well written, thought-provoking, compelling, and worth a few late night reading sessions, then I would absolutely recommend this book! 

*My thanks to the author and publisher for my advanced copy of this book (I did purchase my own paperback, as well)!  I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way.  All opinions expressed are my own. 

I absolutely could have added more quotes from this book! I have so many highlights and notes in my Kindle app, it quite possibly might be funny! But I wouldn't want to spoil the fun for anyone else who enjoys hunting for the best lines to share.

Also, I have to add - this book has to be the one I've talked the most about with friends and acquaintances in recent months. Truly, I don't know that I could recommend it enough!

Bookish Thoughts: Awakened

 

"Some things were meant to be blasted to pieces. Just as others were

meant to be pieced together, into a mosaic of breathtaking beauty."

 Description:

Where sea and land meet, two worlds clash in a fury of waves and wind.

Arden Bleu has always known that her stepsister, Jade, was destined for great things. In a world where beauty follows magic, she has no doubt that their upcoming Awakening ceremony will reveal that gorgeous, kind, compelling Jade is far more than a mere mortal. But when Jade is kidnapped by a mysterious sect of mer on the eve of the newly-returned king’s ball, Arden will do anything to save her sister. Even face down the man she’s always dreaded meeting because of the power he holds over her family, the man to whom her father swore loyalty long before she was born. The Sea King.

Seidon, the Sea King of Daryatla, has grown only more powerful as the centuries have gone by, but lifetime after lifetime have failed to give him what he most yearns for: a family. He knows that it will take a woman of extraordinary power to match him enough to create a child, and no such woman seems to exist…until he feels her magic calling to his one day in the water. And when Arden Bleu, daughter of his most trusted official, arrives to tell him about her missing stepsister, he knows this Jade, with a new magic so coveted that the Mer would risk war with his kingdom to steal her away, may be the one he’s waited centuries for. But how can he and the determined Arden ever hope to find one young woman trapped beneath the waves? Perhaps the Great Golden Sea Hawk who has guarded the sisters all their lives holds the key.

In a world on the brink of war between the mer and the land-dwellers, friendship, faith, and love demand the ultimate sacrifice as both kingdoms seek to unlock the prophesied magic waiting to spring forth: the magic of wind and sky. To the mer, it would mean the freedom to return to the land. To Seidon’s court, it would mean safety from every storm. But how can any human hand wield the wind?

Get your copy here! Or a signed copy here!

About the Author:

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

My Thoughts:

Oh, my word!  This book was fabulous!  Quite possibly my favorite book of the year!  (How many exclamation points are too many for a review??)

When one of my very favorite authors announced that she was writing and then publishing a Fantasy novel, I thought “I’ll give it a try!  I love her other books, so what’s the worst that could happen?  She finally writes something that I’m not a huge fan of?”  Ha.  Any hesitation that I might have had was gone within the first chapter.  I adored this book!  I loved Arden, Seidon, Jade, Storm, Jericho, Sapphire, and Ora.  I even really liked a couple of the mer-people.  I loved the combination of water “magic” and sky “magic.”  I loved how the world felt so familiar, but also so fun and unique with magic and technology so different from ours.

I made a terrible mistake when I started this book, though.  I started it right before bed, which means that when I was immediately pulled into the story, I stayed up WAY too late and missed more sleep than was wise.  But do I regret my choices?  Maybe a tiny bit.  Was it worth it?  Absolutely.  Will I do it again when the next book releases?  Almost without a doubt. 

"What I know is that love is never a gift

the Triada gives to break us. It is how he gives us wings.

It is how he takes us to new heights, new depths.

Love, real love makes us better."

I tried to narrow down my favorite thing about this book, but there are far too many things and too many spoilers if I listed them all.  So I will say that I adored the romance.  It made me smile so big when the characters got to their first kiss and ah . . . I can’t say anything else!  But I have reread those parts several times because their relationship just makes me happy.  I confess, I also loved that I was partially right!  Haha!  Because if I had been wrong, I was going to be super confused about what was going to happen next.  And the ending!  I loved that there wasn’t a huge cliffhanger, as is so common to the other Fantasy novels I’ve read.  

The lack of cliffhanger definitely hasn’t dimmed my anticipation for the next story!  I can’t wait to meet some new characters to love and learn more about this fun world Ms. White has created!

Overall, if you enjoy fantasy with delightful characters and a beautiful romance then I would highly recommend darting off to find/buy a copy of this book!

*My thanks to the author for my copy of this book!  I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way.  All opinions expressed are my own.

What about you? Do you enjoy Fantasy novels? If so, which book or author is your favorite? I'm always on the lookout for recommendations!

As always, thank you so much for stopping by and have a delightful day!

Bookish Thoughts and a blog tour/giveaway! - To Love a Beast

 

 

About the Book

Book: To Love a Beast (One Upon a Time in Texas Book One)

Author: Karen Witemeyer

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: June 10, 2025

Beauty & the Beast in 1800’s Texas.  

Once known among New York’s elite as the American Adonis, Everett Griffin now lives as a recluse in the wilds of Texas. The treachery of a former admirer left his face and his spirit riddled with scars, so he hides himself away, his only companions a trio of trusted servants and an oversized dog. Locals whisper of the beastly man who lives in the gloomy manor outside of town and his tendency to attack anyone who dares approach. Everett relishes his fearsome reputation and uses it as a shield to guard his privacy. Until a young woman as stubborn as she is beautiful infiltrates his sanctum and lays siege to his defenses.

When an injury to her father jeopardizes the family’s book binding business, Callista Rosenfeld determines to fulfill the contract herself, and no insufferable client or woman-eating dog will deter her. Finding unlikely allies among Mr. Griffin’s staff, Callista secures her position and sets to work transforming the manor’s remarkable library. Her employer transforms as well, his ill-tempered growls subsiding to reveal a considerate, intellectual nature. Affection blooms as Callista and Everett discover hidden depths in each other, but the evil schemes of a vengeful hunter threaten to leave their love and their lives in tatters.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Voted #1 Readers’ Favorite Christian Historical Author of 2023 by Family Fiction Magazine, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Karen’s books have won numerous awards, including the prestigious Christy Award, Carol Award, and National Reader’s Choice Award. Karen is an avid cross-stitcher, and makes her home in Abilene, Texas with her husband. Learn more about Karen and her books at her website.

 

 

 

More from Karen

Having Fun with Character Names

I was a college student when the Disney animated adaptation of Beauty and the Beast released, and it instantly became my favorite fairy tale of all time. As a bookish young woman myself, I found Belle so relatable, and the rest of the cast delighted me as well. Throughout my Texas Ever After series and continuing with this new Once Upon a Time in Texas series, I’ve enjoyed paying homage to the Disney characters who inspired my western retellings. To Love a Beast is no different.

Let’s start with our beastly hero, Everett Griffin. The name Everett means “wild boar” and a griffin is a mythological beast with the body of a lion and the head of an eagle. Quite fitting for our Beast. Next is the lovely Callista Rosenfeld, a book binder and novel lover. Callista means “most beautiful,” perfect for our Beauty. Rosenfeld references the enchanted rose that plays such a key role in the fairy tale plot.

Next, we have our supporting cast. Mrs. Potter is our motherly housekeeper who invites Callista to tea on a regular basis. Our stuffy butler playing the role of Cogsworth is Mr. Timens. Notice the TIME in his name that pays homage to the clock-faced Disney character. Everett’s valet and best friend is Ray Lightfoot, who’s name plays with the candlestick image with both his first and last name.

I love having fun with my character names and giving them additional story meaning. You’ll find more Beauty and the Beast Easter eggs in my story as well. Those elements make the story so fun to write, and I hope you will find it incredibly fun to read as well.

Happy Reading!

~Karen

(I loved the characters names as I was reading the book and it was so fun to learn about how they were chosen!)

Blog Stops

Maureen's Musings June 27

Melissa's Bookshelf June 27

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy June 28

Locks, Hooks and Books June 28

Debbie's Dusty Deliberations June 29

Inspired By Fiction June 29

Babbling Becky L's Book Impressions June 30

Where Faith and Books Meet June 30

Devoted Steps July 1

Sylvan Reads July 1

She Lives to Read July 1

Texas Book-aholic July 2

Blossoms and Blessings July 2

Happily Managing a Household of Boys July 3

Blogging With Carol July 3

Stories by Gina July 4 (author interview)

Labor Not in Vain July 4

For Him and My Family July 5

Holly's Book Corner July 5

Jeanette's Thoughts July 6

Jodie Wolfe July 6

The Lit Lady July 7

Wishful Endings July 7

Bizwings Book Blog July 8

Life on Chickadee Lane July 8

Books You Can Feel Good About July 9

Mary Hake July 9

To Everything There Is A Season July 9

Life Love Writing July 10

Min Reads and Reviews July 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving away the grand prize of an eBook copy of the book and Beauty & the Beast themed goodies!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54249 

My Thoughts:

I’m not always a huge fan of Fairy Tale retellings (there have been SO many!), but I’ve greatly enjoyed all of Ms. Witemeyer’s adaptations, and this one is no exception! 

So, how does one take the story of Beauty and The Beast and change the setting to Texas?  And remove the enchantment?  Ms. Witemeyer answers those questions with a book binder, a library, plus a lot of grace, kindness, wit, and charm.  Along with some snarling and growling.  Because he couldn’t be the “beast” without a little foul temper now and then.  Though Everett starts out with a “beastly” attitude, I so enjoyed how the relationship between him and Callista slowly changed.  Their romance was so sweet!  I loved Mr. Timens, Mr. Lightfoot, and Mrs. Potter, too!  

I do have to confess that I found the villain’s reasoning quite . . . unusual.  The villain was quite easy to deduce, if you remember Disney’s version of the story, but I don’t want to spoil anything by using their name, if someone is unfamiliar with it.  So while I found the climax of the ending a little off-putting, I did quite enjoy how Callista and Everett’s story ended.  I’m very curious to see which Fairy Tale Ms. Witemeyer decides to adapt next!

Overall, if you enjoy sweet historical romances set in Texas, or Fairy Tale adaptations, then I would highly recommend this book!  (The author also has 3 other books along the same vein, that I have read and would also highly recommend!)

*My thanks to the author and publisher for my copy of this book!  I received it as part of a blog tour with Celebrate Lit and was not required to write a positive review.  I have not been compensated for my review in any way and all opinions expressed are my own. 

As always, thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you'll stop by the other wonderful blogs on this tour and gather up giveaway entries!

Have a ducky day!

Bookish Thoughts: An Honorable Deception

 

Description:

In the trying art of balancing investigations and love, a detective must determine his priorities when faced with dangerous circumstances that could threaten everything he holds dear.

As the leader of the Imposters, an elite private investigative firm, Lord Yates Fairfax has made an art of concealing his identity. But when his newest client, the beautiful Lady Alethia Barremore, is shot while leaving their meeting, he throws caution to the wind and rushes to her aid. Though Lady Alethia thought she was only looking for her missing former nanny, she has clearly stumbled upon something much more dangerous.

Lady Lavinia Hemming suspects her longtime friends hold more secrets than they’re willing to admit, and when she stumbles upon the truth that they’re the esteemed Imposters, she recruits herself into the firm. While she is happy for the distraction of an investigation, Lavinia’s own family secrets continue to haunt her. And the one thing bringing laughter back into her life–her friendship with Yates–lands her squarely on the disagreeable side of her best friend: his sister.

Tormented by a past she doesn’t dare voice aloud, Lady Alethia does what she can to help her handsome host, her new friends, and the investigators. But as clues lead them deeper into the dark side of society, Alethia, Yates, and Lavinia learn anew that the gentry isn’t always noble . . . even as they fight to hold fast to their own honor.

About the Author:

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com

My Thoughts:

I have been ever so anxiously awaiting the final novel of Roseanna M. White’s “The Imposters”  series and it was so worth the wait!

I had such a book-hangover after finishing this one!  Ms. White’s stories are always ones that linger in my heart and mind, fueling my imagination as I wait for my next opportunity to sit down (or stand in a corner) and read for a few minutes.  And did this one ever captivate my thoughts! The subject matter - goodness, it is heavy.  Heartbreakingly so.  But I thought Ms. White did a marvelous job of balancing the weight of the investigation with some lighthearted moments and humor, keeping the story from becoming too dark.  Penelope is always a great distraction!

"But sheltering us from the world doesn't spare our eyes

from seeing evil, Papa - it spares evil from the light that would

reveal it. It provides the cover it seeks. It's only when we tear down

those walls and look at the truth straight on that we can hope to change things."

My favorite part of any good book is always the characters and, as I have adored Yates from the very beginning of the first book, I was so happy to be reading his story at last!  He is the teasing younger brother, the serious leader, the anonymous Mr. A, and in this one, so wonderfully honorable, especially in the midst of the deception of this investigation.  I appreciated how the author contrasted the honor of The Imposters, with the lies and disgrace of the villains.  He wasn’t so noble as to be unbelievable, but a perfect hero of the story.

"Go outside for a while, sweet one. Soak up a bit of the sunshine.

Be reminded of how the God who created such an intricate world

is at work here and now, too."

Then there is Lady Lavinia who is struggling to reconcile her past and discern what her future might look like.  I loved her friendship with Lady Alethia, as well as following her to a much different future than she had envisioned.

Oh, and if you’ve read some of Ms. White’s other series, there is a familiar character that I was super happy (and surprised) to see!  I won’t spoil anything, but I definitely had to go reread their book, as soon as I had recovered from my book-hangover.

The worst part of this book?  The fact that it and the series are over!  The best part?  I can reread the whole series whenever I want to whisk them back off of their shelf.

Overall, if you enjoy captivating characters, as well as historical mysteries full of suspense and romance, then I would highly recommend this book and the entire series!

*My thanks to the author and publisher for my copy of this book! I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is just your friendly reminder that books make excellent Christmas presents! Or anytime presents! If this story intrigues you, I'll add some purchase links below.

I don't have any more reviews lined up for the coming weeks, so please have a joyful Christmas!!

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Baker Book House  (has a sale right now! 30% off!)

Roseanna's Shop (signed!)