In The Shadow Of A Queen: Based On A True Story by Heather B. Moore

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

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 thoughts:

Such a great story! I just LOVED In The Shadow Of A Queen by Heather B. Moore - it was fantastic! The writing was top notch, the historical aspects were fascinating, and the story itself was mesmerizing. This book is definitely historical fiction at its very best!

So, what is the story about? Well, it's about Queen Victoria's daughter, Louise. We meet her when she's twelve and follow her journey as she becomes her mother's secretary and then must look for a potential husband. And, we also get to know her family, which is definitely an interesting part of the story. After all we get to see Queen Victoria as more than a monarch - we get to see her as a mother. Talk about royal family dynamics on display. 

Moore created an enjoyable story that provides history and entertainment. In The Shadow Of A Queen is definitely a must-read for fans of historical fiction - you will LOVE this book to bits! Make sure to check it out! 

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

To Kiss A Wallflower: Timeless Regency Collection by Jen Geigle Johnson, Heather B. Moore, and Anneka R. Walker

 

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

To Kiss a Wallflower is the nineteenth book in the Timeless Regency Collection, a bestselling anthology series from Mirror Press. The book features three novellas from acclaimed historical romance authors whose stories reveal that eventually, all wallflowers will have their chance at love . . . This is where it begins.

“The Wallflower’s Dance,” by Jen Geigle Johnson

Lottie Hughes likes people, as long as they aren't too close. Does it bother her that no one asks her to dance? Yes, but she's not sure how to drum up dance partners when she has almost no dowry, no title, and freezes up when anyone tries to talk to her. When she suddenly inherits a huge amount and is the new center of attention all over London, her secret dreams might come true but also her worst nightmares. Suddenly everyone wants to talk to her. Men ask her to dance. And she is inundated with interested suitors. She fights to stay close to the few friends she knows are true. One man saw her before her life changed forever. But does she want to accept his help when he, too, might be insincere?

“Letters to a Wallflower,” by Heather B. Moore

Ellen might be beautiful and considered a diamond of the first water by Society, but she is so very tired of the pressure to marry a titled gentleman so that her beauty won’t go to waste. When her cousin Dinah dares Ellen to attend a ball with no frills and to stand with the wallflowers, Ellen takes on the dare. What’s in the wager for her? The prize cuttings of her aunt’s extraordinary roses. But what Ellen isn’t expecting is Lord Ravenshire to engage her in the most interesting conversation. When she confesses to him of her opposition in marrying for a title, he confesses his distaste of the London scene. They strike a bargain together, one which will either push them apart or lead to a future sweeter than either of them could have imagined.

“To Marry a Wallflower,” by Anneka R. Walker

Charlotte Winters is destined to spinsterhood until she turns down an unwanted proposal and everything changes. With gossip rampant, her father attempts to salvage her reputation by betrothing her to another. Soon she is sent off to her aunt’s to meet Lord Templeton, her intended. Anxiety-ridden, Charlotte begs her aunt to let her observe Lord Templeton from afar before their introduction. She never planned to pretend to be her fictional cousin to learn more about him, or to fall in love with Lord Templeton’s friend in the process. Lord Templeton dreads returning to the empty halls of Newcliff Manor. When his father’s old friend, Mr. Winters reaches out for assistance, Lord Templeton finds himself returning home engaged to a woman he has never met. Desperate to learn more about Miss Winters, he befriends her cousin. He wouldn’t have spoken to her, or lied about his identity, if he’d known the quiet woman would sneak into his heart.

my thoughts:

Love, love, love! What a delightful treat! The Timeless Regency Collection has published a wonderful collection of novellas, three to be precise, in this amazing new book: To Kiss A Wallflower. Each story is written by a bestselling author of the historical romance genre and they are: Jen Geigle Johnson, Heather B. Moore, and Anneka R. Walker. How exciting does that sound, right? Believe me, I was thrilled to get my hands on a copy of To Kiss A Wallflower. I couldn't wait to dive right in. So, I grabbed a cuppa, my favorite blanket, and started reading, reading, reading. I didn't put the book down, until I finished all three stories - and they were fantastic!

A book about wallflowers that finally get their chance at love - how could I resist?! The three stories are: The Wallflower's Dance by Jen Geigle Johnson; Letters to a Wallflower by Heather B. Moore; and, To Marry a Wallflower by Anneka R. Walker. And they are fabulous! There are secrets, dares, and mistaken identities. And, the romance will make you swoon. Of course, gossip abounds, hidden agendas are revealed, and family duty rears its ugly head. All in all, To Kiss A Wallflower is fun and engaging book that has superb writing, unique twists and turns, sweet and roguish characters that you will fall in love with, and a wallflower theme that you can relate to. Such a great book!!

I would happily recommend To Kiss A Wallflower to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - you will LOVE this book to bits! Check it out ASAP!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a coy of this book!