Daisies and Devotion (Mayfield Family #2) by Josi S. Kilpack

Publication: May 14, 2019

Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing

Source: Publisher

Synopsis: 

Timothy Mayfield is ready to marry for love, but, since his personal finances are thinner than he’d like, he knows he’ll also need to find a wife with wealth. After receiving an unexpected inheritance, Timothy’s circumstances change, and he is free to pursue his “perfect woman”—one with blonde hair, blue eyes, a light laugh, arched eyebrows, elegant fingers, and a dazzling smile, among nearly twenty other characteristics. 

Maryann Morrington doesn’t match anything on Timothy’s list—except for wealth. An heiress in her own right, she is tired of men pursuing her only for her money. But at nearly twenty-two years old, and not a particularly stunning beauty, she can’t be as picky as her friend Timothy is.

The two friends end up playing matchmaker for each other. Timothy will find a decent gentleman for Maryann, and Maryann will prove to Timothy that his “perfect woman” doesn’t exist.

Until Miss Shaw comes to London.

Now, with Timothy’s heart captivated by the blonde, blue-eyed beauty, Maryann must decide if she should risk her heart and reveal her true feelings for her friend, or if she should settle for someone else. It’s an up-and-down game of “he loves me, he loves me not” with both hearts and friendship on the line.

******

I love that the women in the Mayfield Family series are not flat or boring. They are smart, strong, and beautiful women that want to be appreciated and loved. Such is also the case for Maryann. She knows she must find a suitable husband, but finding one that wants her for more than just her money proves to be challenging. 

Seeing Timothy’s priorities change once he receives his inheritance was pretty interesting. Though I didn’t care for some of the choices he made, overall I liked him. He has a silly side to him, but he can also be serious when warranted. Timothy is very smart when it comes to handling his business affairs, though matters of the heart are a different subject. 

Maryann and Timothy’s friendship is so natural and easygoing. I enjoyed seeing them interact with one another. Them agreeing to find a match for each other was a fun and unique aspect to the story.  It’s not long before their friendship is put to the test and Maryann and Timothy must decide whether they will follow their heads or their hearts in the process. And if the result will be worth it. 

Daisies and Devotion was a cute historical romance story. Having read and very much enjoyed the previous book, Promises and Primroses I knew I had to see what was in store for the next member of the Mayfield family. I was not disappointed. The characters were easy to like, and the story was engaging. If you are a fan of clean historical romances than I recommend you give this book and this series a read. 

RATING: 4 OUT OF 5.

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Promises and Primroses (Mayfield Family #1) by Josi S. Kilpack

    

Publication: September 4, 2018

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Source: Publisher & Purchased my own copy

Summary:

Lord Elliott Mayfield aims to correct the very messy marital mistakes and spousal scandals of his brothers and sisters by requiring his nieces and nephews to choose worthy companions.  If they choose wisely, they will receive their generous share of the family’s inheritance.

Peter, Elliott’s eldest nephew, thinks the entire idea is ridiculous. A widower with two young daughters, he simply needs a governess, not a wife. Julia Hollingsworth certainly has the credentials and the experience, but is altogether too young and pretty for such a job. So why can’t he stop thinking about her?

Julia loves working as a governess, despite the objections of her mother, Amelia. And as it turns out, Amelia has a lot to say about the Mayfield men—none of it good. But Julia dismisses the rumors of ruined reputations and instead concentrates on helping Peter with his children and his fledgling business in canine husbandry. His kindness and gentleness is endearing—and increasingly attractive.

But Amelia, whose heart was broken thirty years ago by none other than Elliott Mayfield, is determined to prevent any relationship from blooming either between Peter and Julia—or between herself and Elliott.

Hearts and history collide as both couples must face their pasts and decide if risking it all is worth the promise of new love and a new future.

******

When Elliott tells Peter of his idea to help better his nieces and nephews, Peter isn’t 100% sold on it. He shrugs off the idea of himself needing help. He isn’t looking to get married and is already a respectable member of society. When Peter hires Julia to be a governess to his two daughters’ things seem to be going well. Well enough until Julia’s mother Amelia starts to make her opinions known. Peter is confident and headstrong. He likes to do things his own way, but it isn’t always the correct way to do things. That’s something he learns more than once in this story.

Amelia just wants Julia to say close to home, find a suitable husband and have children. However Julia has other plans. She wants more out of her life and more importantly, she wants to have some space from her semi-controlling but well-meaning mother; which is why she is looking for a new governess position. Julia loves her new position within the Mayfield household. And she adores Peters’ little girls and they adore her as well. How long can Julia's happiness last with her mother's interference?

Amelia is familiar with some members of the Mayfield family; especially Elliott Mayfield. Still recalling the pain from all those years ago and determined to not let history repeat itself when it comes to her daughter, Amelia attempts to take matters into her own hands. But can she judge the present clearly when she is still held firmly in the past?

I loved Julia. She is smart, independent (especially for the time period) and not afraid to be herself and say what she wants. Julia and Peter make a rather cute couple. I was rooting for them all the way. Amelia was the most frustrating character. There were several times I wanted to shake her and tell her stop being so ridiculous! 

Having this story told in multiple POV’s made it all the more entertaining to read. This was the first time I had read a book by Josi Kilpack and it will not be the last. The story was well written and it had a good steady pace to it. I very much enjoyed reading this book. Promises and Primroses made me fall back in love with historical romance all over again. It is a sweet story with traces of humor and warmth throughout. One that I hope you check out soon if you haven’t already.

RATING: 5 out of 5.

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A Sapphire Season by Lynn Morris Blog Tour!

Thank you for stopping by my stop on A Sapphire Season Blog Tour! To follow the rest of the blog tour click here.

Publication: August 11, 2015

Publisher: FaithWords

Source: Publisher

Lynn Morris, bestselling author of The Baron's Honourable Daughter, once again sweeps readers into the Regency era with striking period detail. Lady Mirabella Tirel, the beautiful daughter of the Marquess of Camarden, takes a practical approach to love since a dashing captain broke her heart at age 17. Now at almost 22 years old, she has decided to endure one last London season to secure a suitable engagement and begin a simple life in the country. Sir Giles Knyvet is Mirabella's oldest friend and her most dependable ally, and he is also secretly in love with her. Yet he knows the prospect of a relationship is doubtful: Besides being a mere baronet, he aims to settle a large family debt before sharing his feelings with her. But as Mirabella draws close to a suitable match, Giles may need to interfere to buy himself more time.

A Sapphire Season was such a sweet story to read.  Mirabella and Giles have grown up together and have a very close friendship. So naturally when the season starts they decide to go to London together with two of their friends. Mirabella has a plan. In lieu of marrying for love, she makes a list of all the best possible matches she thinks would be suitable. She soon discovers the list may not be the greatest idea and it isn’t so easy finding someone you are compatible with. While she is narrowing down her list of potential suitors, Giles has been busy himself, catching the eye of a particular woman that ends up making Mirabella a little jealous.

I really enjoying Mirabella and Giles together. They had a fun witty banter that showed perfectly how close they were. Though I would’ve thought one of them or both would’ve realized their feelings a little sooner than they did.

Sometimes love comes unexpectedly and to a person you might have never thought that way before. A Sapphire Season is a good example of that. The story was easy to follow and the characters were likable. I’m a sucker for good historical fiction romances, especially involving childhood friends. If you enjoy reading clean historical fiction romances then you will want to take a look at A Sapphire Season.  

RATING: 3½ out of 5.

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About the Author

 LYNN MORRIS is the bestselling author of over 25 novels, including the popular Cheney Duvall, M.D. series. She is the daughter of Christy Award-winning author Gilbert Morris, with whom she has often collaborated. She lives in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

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Blackmoore (A Proper Romance) by Julianne Donaldson

Publication: September 9, 2013

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Kate Worthington knows her heart and she knows she will never marry. Her plan is to travel to India instead—if only to find peace for her restless spirit and to escape the family she abhors. But Kate’s meddlesome mother has other plans. She makes a bargain with Kate: India, yes, but only after Kate has secured—and rejected—three marriage proposals. Kate journeys to the stately manor of Blackmoore determined to fulfill her end of the bargain and enlists the help of her dearest childhood friend, Henry Delafield. But when it comes to matters of love, bargains are meaningless and plans are changeable. There on the wild lands of Blackmoore, Kate must face the truth that has kept her heart captive. Will the proposal she is determined to reject actually be the one thing that will set her heart free? Set in Northern England in 1820, Blackmoore is a Regency romance that tells the story of a young woman struggling to learn how to follow her heart. It is Wuthering Heights meets Little Women with a delicious must-read twist.

BlackMoore was such a delightful story. I ended up buying the audiobook and it was hard for me to stop listening. The narrator, Cassandra Campbell did a really nice job with the different character voices and the emotions of the story.

I liked Kate a lot. She is a 17 year old young woman who so determined and passionate about going to India with her Aunt and learning to be independent and out from under her ridiculous mothers thumb. The way her mother behaved and flirted in public was completely inappropriate. I thought that Elizabeth Bennett’s mother from Pride and Prejudice was bad…I would take her as a mom over Kate’s any day of the week.

I understood Kate’s longing to be free and to have a better life. And even though I get why she never said anything to Henry or to anyone; I really wished she had.

“It was one thing to set a bird free, but how on earth was I to set myself free?"

There are a few flashbacks into Kate’s past to explain why she made some of the choices she has made. But you won’t find out why Kate is so against marriage until more than halfway through the book. At first I kept thinking, how she cannot know that Henry loves her, but it wasn’t about her finding that out. You’ll just have to read it to find out more.

He drew in a breath and his voice sounded hoarse and vulnerable and soft when he said, “You were the only surprise in my life Kate. And I am afraid, I am very afraid that once you leave, I will never be surprised again."

The author did a nice job with this story. The writing flowed, it had a nice pace, the characters were lively, and I never once felt bored. I loved the friendship…the connection Kate and Henry shared. It was sweet. Blackmoore was a very charming story that made me feel warm and happy once I was finished.

Readers who enjoy classics like Pride & Prejudice, Mansfield Park, or any clean romantic historical novel should take a look at Blackmoore.

RATING: 4½-5 OUT OF 5.

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