Book Review - The Lady Travelers Guide to Scoundrels & Other Gentlemen by Victoria Alexander

Book Synopsis
Really, it’s too much to expect any normal man to behave like a staid accountant in order to inherit the fortune he deserves to support the lifestyle of an earl. So when Derek Saunders’s favorite elderly aunt and her ill-conceived—and possibly fraudulent—Lady Travelers Society loses one of their members, what’s a man to do but step up to the challenge? Now he’s escorting the world’s most maddening woman to the world’s most romantic city to find her missing relative.

While India Prendergast only suspects his organization defrauds gullible travelers, she’s certain a man with as scandalous a reputation as Derek Saunders cannot be trusted any farther than the distance around his very broad shoulders. As she struggles not to be distracted by his wicked smile and the allure of Paris, instead of finding a lost lady traveler, India just may lose her head, her luggage and her heart.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

My Review 
The Lady Travelers Guide to Scoundrels and Other Gentlemen is a historical romance set in Victorian England and Paris.  It tells the story of India Prendergast, a fiercely independent woman who works for a living and values propriety.  When her beloved cousin, who is like a mother to her, goes missing after joining a Lady Travelers society, the nephew of one of the group's founders steps in.  Derek Saunders is handsome and charming, and India assumes he is a scoundrel.  But as they travel to Paris to search for her cousin (accompanied by a charming older couple who chaperone), a slow friendship - and romantic interest - develops between India and Derek.

This was such a fun read! I would call it a romp.  There is a lot of humor and lively dialogue.  I enjoyed the setting, especially the Paris scenes.  Their visit takes place during the Paris Exhibition of 1889, which featured the Eiffel Tower.

I really liked India and Derek and found their scenes together enjoyable.  I liked the way they became friends first and then romantic sparks flew.

The element of mystery -- the whereabouts of India's cousin -- was also well done and added extra interest to the plot.

The little quotes from The Lady Travelers Society Guide added some extra interest as epigraphs for some of the chapters.

This is my first read by Victoria Alexander, but I really enjoyed The Lady Travelers Guide to Scoundrels and Other Gentlemen and would love to read future books in this series.  I recommend this highly as a lively, engrossing summer read.

Author Bio
New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander was an award winning television reporter until she discovered fiction was much more fun than real life. She turned to writing full time and is still shocked it worked out.

Since the publication of her first book in 1995, she has written thirty-one full length novels and six novellas.

Connect with Victoria

Website | Facebook | Twitter

   

I received a copy of this book from TLC Book Tours.

Book Spotlight and Giveaway - Treble at the Jam Fest by Leslie Budewitz

Book Synopsis
Erin Murphy, manager of Murphy’s Mercantile (aka the Merc), is tuning up for Jewel Bay’s annual Jazz Festival. Between keeping the Merc’s shelves stocked with Montana’s tastiest local fare and hosting the festival’s kick-off concert, Erin has her hands full.

Discord erupts when jazz guitarist Gerry Martin is found dead on the rocks above the Jewel River. The one-time international sensation had fallen out of sync with festival organizers, students, and performers. Was his death an accident—or did someone even the score?

Despite the warning signs to not get involved, Erin investigates. And when the killer attacks, she orchestrates her efforts into one last crescendo, hoping to avoid a deadly finale.

Author Bio
Leslie Budewitz is the author of the Food Lovers’ Village Mysteries and the Spice Shop Mysteries—and the first author to win Agatha Awards for both fiction and nonfiction. She lives in northwest Montana with her husband, a musician and doctor of natural medicine, and their cat Ruff, a cover model and avid bird-watcher.

Connect with her on her website, http://www.LeslieBudewitz.com, on Facebook, or on Twitter.

Purchase Links
Amazon B&N  kobo

Giveaway
(2) Print Copy Treble at the Jam Fest by Leslie Budewitz
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Dear Abby - Videos Abby Likes: A Very Determined Dachshund

Dear Friends,

It has been a very busy week here, but I wanted to say "hi" and send a fun video for you to enjoy.

I have a sweet little video for you today.  Meet Arvo, a longhair dachshund who wants to take a nap -- along with a teddy bear.  Arvo works hard to get the teddy bear to fit into the kennel.  I love this video!   I think Arvo was very smart and determined.

I am determined like that when it is time for bed.  I go to bed most nights at 10:00 PM and wait for Momma.  Occasionally I will go look for Momma if she is in the study and remind her that it is bedtime.  (She rarely goes to bed that early - but I do try!)



I would love to hear from you in the comments.  If you have pets, have they ever done something surprising because they were very determined?  

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Love,

Abby xoxoxo 

Dear Abby - Videos Abby Likes: Dachshund Vs. Crab

Dear Friends,

As summer is just around the corner, I will be making some short, fun posts on my blogging days.   I plan to share some videos, some cute pictures, and maybe a dog theme book review or two as well.

Today I have two fun videos to share.   They feature a little rescued dachshund named Madeline.  Madeline went to the beach and met a CRAB.   I have never seen a crab, and am not sure I would like to meet one!  Madeline was very brave and she went back and forth checking out the crab and trying to make friends.   There are two videos about her adventures.




If you have a pet, have they ever had an unusual animal encounter?  I would love to hear about it in the comments, below.

I have seen a rabbit, chipmunks, and squirrels up close.  I am curious about them but do not chase or bark.  Chipmunks move very fast and they get my attention to most.  Recently some deer were spotted nearby and I would be curious to see them, I think.

I hope you have a good weekend!

Love,
Abby xoxoxo

Book Review - Goodnight from London by Jennifer Robson

Book Synopsis
From USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Robson—author of Moonlight Over Paris and Somewhere in France—comes a lush historical novel that tells the fascinating story of Ruby Sutton, an ambitious American journalist who moves to London in 1940 to report on the Second World War, and to start a new life an ocean away from her past.

In the summer of 1940, ambitious young American journalist Ruby Sutton gets her big break: the chance to report on the European war as a staff writer for Picture Weekly newsmagazine in London. She jumps at the chance, for it’s an opportunity not only to prove herself, but also to start fresh in a city and country that know nothing of her humble origins. But life in besieged Britain tests Ruby in ways she never imagined.

 

Purchase Links

HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

My Review 
Goodnight from London tells the story of Ruby Sutton.  She is a young American journalist who moves to London as a correspondent in 1940.  The novel details her life and work in the city, including the enormous stress of life during the Blitz.  She meets a handsome military captain, Bennett.  They both have secrets, and they slowly get to know each other and share their pasts as the war moves on.

This is a fascinating read about life in London during World War II.  Jennifer Robson is one of my favorite historical fiction writers, and she does a fine job at capturing the feel of the city during wartime.  The historical details are fascinating!

Ruby's work as a correspondent is especially interesting.  She faces the dual challenges of being a woman in a man's field, and being an American working in another country.  I found the details of her work, with interviews around the London area, especially compelling.

I loved the characters in this book -- Ruby's editor Kaz, her friends Vanessa, Vi, and Bea, and especially Bennett.  The friendship and slow blooming romance between Ruby and Bennett is so moving and beautifully written.

There were many plot twists and turns, as one would expect in a novel set from 1940 - 1945.  I felt they were very well done, and found Goodnight from London a really engrossing read.

Goodnight from London will surely be on my list of favorite books of the year.  I recommend it highly for other fans of historical fiction.   Five stars!

Author Bio
Jennifer Robson is the USA Today and #1 Toronto Globe & Mail bestselling author of Somewhere in France, After the War is Over and Moonlight Over Paris. She holds a doctorate from Saint Antony’s College, University of Oxford. She lives in Toronto with her husband and young children.

Find out more about Jennifer at her website, and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

I received a copy of this book from HarperCollins and TLC Book Tours.