Lady August by Becky Michaels: Review & Giveaway with HFVBT Blog Tours

Lady August by Becky Michaels

Publication Date: March 30, 2021

Mildred Press

Paperback & eBook; 310 pages

Genre: Historical Romance/Regency

August Summer thinks she is a nobody until a London solicitor barges into her employer’s drawing room, revealing not only is she the daughter of an earl but a wealthy heiress as well. Optimistic about a new life, she travels to her ancestral home of Linfield Hall, only for her brother to banish her to London to live with her aunt, a dowager duchess with a reputation.

When Lord Bolton asks him to fetch his illegitimate daughter, solicitor Samuel Brooks does not expect himself to become so invested in the young woman’s debut after wanting nothing to do with dinners and balls before. But as August navigates her way through this new world of the British aristocracy, Brooks is the one who is most dazzled by her unexpected charms.

Since society demands every young girl must marry, August decides she will accept nothing less than someone’s heart in exchange for possession of her newfound fortune. Forced to reexamine his negative views of love and marriage or lose August forever, Brooks soon realizes his heart is the only thing in danger of becoming possessed.

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MY THOUGHTS.....

The prologue of this book introduces Samuel Brooks as an eight-year-old boy who overhears a conversation that would remain with him all of his life. I was drawn to this young boy who had already decided that there were no happy marriages, but, as the story continues, I couldn't decide how I felt about him as an adult. It is twenty-two years later that Brooks is asked to find the illegitimate daughter of his client, and his life's destiny is forever changed. He still doesn't believe in love and marriage, but he does feel protective feelings toward August Summer, the young governess who turns out to be Lord Bolton's daughter. I had no doubts about my feelings for August! I liked this independent and spunky girl who was shocked to learn that she was an heiress, and mystified about her new position in London society. How would she handle the many suitors who were eager to court her? Were they interested in her, or were they anxious to learn just how much dowry she had to offer?

Romance lovers will enjoy the intense relationship that develops between August and Brooks. Yes, there is definitely a physical attraction, but there is also the connection of two people who have experienced deep hurts in their pasts. Brooks is willing to protect August, but can he overcome his fears and doubt, and offer her what she truly wants? Are love and trust possible?

Fans of historical fiction will enjoy Lady August, a realistic glimpse of British society as it was in 1816 London. Author Becky Michaels offers fascinating characters, intriguing complications, and alluring regency romance, but there are some issues that may prove to be disturbing to readers, such as domestic violence, sibling death, and depression. There are also some steamy scenes between husband and wife.

I received a copy of this book from the author via Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours. There was no obligation for a favorable review. These are my own thoughts.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


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About the Author

Becky Michaels is a historical romance author and self-proclaimed Anglophile. After graduating from Boston University with a degree in English, she reluctantly decided to get a day job but never stopped writing—or dreaming. THE LAND STEWARD’S DAUGHTER, a Regency romance set in 1815 England, is her debut novel. Despite the cold winters and high rent, she still lives in the Boston area with her boyfriend and cat.

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Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, May 3
Review at Pursuing Stacie

Tuesday, May 4
Excerpt at Novels Alive
Review at Probably at the Library

Wednesday, May 5
Review at Bookworlder

Friday, May 7
Review at Novels Alive
Excerpt at Books, Ramblings, and Tea

Monday, May 10
Review at Rajiv's Reviews

Wednesday, May 12
Excerpt at I'm All About Books

Friday, May 14
Review at Two Bookish Babes

Monday, May 17
Review at Anna’s Book Blog

Tuesday, May 18
Excerpt at Reading is My Remedy

Thursday, May 20
Excerpt at What Is That Book About

Friday, May 21
Review at Michelle the PA Loves to Read

Monday, May 24
Review at Jorie Loves A Story

Tuesday, May 25
Interview at Jorie Loves A Story

Wednesday, May 26
Review at andreajanel_reads

Friday, May 28
Excerpt at The Tea Queen

Monday, May 31
Review at Passages to the Past

Tuesday, June 1
Interview at Reader_Ceygo

Wednesday, June 2
Review at Reader_Ceygo
Excerpt at Coffee and Ink
Review at Older & Smarter

Thursday, June 3
Review at Little But Fierce Book Diary

Friday, June 4
Review at The Enchanted Shelf

Giveaway

Enter to win a copy of Lady August by Becky Michaels!

The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on June 4th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

Lady August

Love Ordained by Tara Taffera: Review with JustRead PublicityTours

ABOUT THE BOOK

Where Great Loss Turns to Ordained Love

When Gina Andros loses her husband Alex and almost two-year old daughter Teresa in a car accident, her world falls apart. Her mother-in-law Helena, a woman she views as a second mother, blames her for the accident and cuts her out of her life. Doing so, she turns her family, including Gina’s best friends, Anna and Christian, away from her. Gina falls deep into the pit of grief, but slowly the family starts to heal—due in part to a major event in her life. But not before Helena goes to great lengths to derail Gina’s recovery. Will Helena’s heart melt, bringing the family back together?

As the months go by, the possibility of new love arrives in Gina’s life, but is it the love God has planned for her? Will Gina realize the one she is meant to be with, and if she does, will he be ready to love her unconditionally?

MY THOUGHTS....

Grab your tissues! This is a very emotional story, and I found myself wondering how I would have handled losing my husband and daughter in one terrible instance. How would I have felt having the people who had become my second family reject me, and leave me without their support? These are the events that occur in Love Ordained and author Tara Taffera has explored all of the emotions associated with death and loss. Gina's absolute numbness after a tragic accident that claimed her husband and two-year-old daughter. Her feelings of being smothered by her parents, and her despair over losing the support of her in-laws. This story spans a year in Gina's life, and over the course of that year, she progresses from barely getting out of bed, and forgetting to pay her bills, to a point where she can finally feel hope for her future. Gina also learns how vital it is to have faith and trust in God!

Love Ordained is a compelling story of love, loss, and grief. It shows us that our life can change in a second, but it also reminds us that memories are vital, healing is possible, and forgiveness is a must. This isn't an easy book to read, and there is a lot of sadness, but Gina's story is one that you won't soon forget! Love Ordained is Taffera's debut novel, and I look forward to her future writing efforts.

I voluntarily accepted a copy of this book. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own opinions.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tara Taffera is a journalist living in Stafford, Va., with her husband of 23 years, and her three daughters. In 2020, she realized her dream of writing her first novel, Love Ordained which is now available on Amazon in Paperback or Kindle. She has always loved to read, and anyone who knows her knows how fast she can plow through a good book. Her mother always says, how as a youngster, she was always asking to go back to the library for more books. She started writing Love Ordained more than 20 years ago, and she finally made it a priority in early 2020, and finished the book—a Christian romance.  

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