Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser

Book Excerpt:

"Twice-widowed, Lady Etheldreda Verity Isolde Tremaine Bramley is solely responsible for her two children, a priggish stepdaughter, a razor-taloned peregrine falcon, and a crumbling manor. Fierce and determined, Ethel clings to the respectability her deceased husband's title affords her, hoping it will secure her daughters' future through marriage.

When a royal ball offers the chance to change everything, Ethel risks her pride in pursuit of an invitation for all three of her daughters—only to see her hopes fulfilled by the wrong one. As an engagement to the future king unfolds, Ethel discovers a sordid secret hidden in the depths of the royal family, forcing her to choose between the security she craves and the well-being of the stepdaughter who has rebuffed her at every turn.

As if Bridgerton met Circe, and exhilarating to its core, Lady Tremaine reimagines the myth of the evil stepmother at the heart of the world's most famous fairy tale. It is a battle cry for a mother's love for her daughters, and a celebration of women everywhere who make their own fortunes."

Title:  Lady Tremaine

Author:  Rachel Hochhauser

Publisher:  St. Martin's Press

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Four
Review:

"Lady Tremaine" by Rachel Hochhauser

My Review:

'Lady Tremaine' was quite an interesting story about Cinderella's stepmother. This author wrote a story that will keep readers turning the pages to see what comes next for that evil stepmother, Etheldreda.

The story will be a fairy-tale retelling, so you will have to keep reading till the end. I don't want to give too much away, because there will be so much going on in this read, as one will see this stepmother doing her best to give the girls the best and secure their futures.

However, be ready for some darkness, which gives the reader a quite interesting experience with an unexpected twist at the end. I will stop here and say: read it and see how it comes together in the end.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

 

Last Twilight in Paris by Pam Jenoff

 

Book Except:

"London, 1953. Louise is still adjusting to her postwar role as a housewife when she discovers a necklace in a box at a secondhand shop. The box is marked with the name of a department store in Paris, and she is confident she had seen the necklace before when she worked with the Red Cross in Nazi-occupied Europe — and that it holds the key to the mysterious death of her friend Franny during the war.

Following the trail of clues to Paris, Louise seeks help from her former boss, Ian, with whom she shares a romantic history. The necklace leads them to discover the dark history of Lévitan — a once-glamorous department store that served as a Nazi prison — and Helaine, a woman who was imprisoned there, torn apart from her husband when the Germans invaded France.

Louise races to find the connection between the necklace, the department store, and Franny's death. But nothing is as it seems, and forces are determined to keep the truth buried forever. Inspired by the true story of Lévitan, Last Twilight in Paris is both a gripping mystery and an unforgettable story about sacrifice, resistance, and the power of love to transcend in even the darkest hours."

Title:  Last Twilight in Paris

Author:  Pam Jenoff

Publisher:  Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Four

Review:

'Last Twilight in Paris' by Pam Jenoff

My Insight:

'Last Twilight' is a unique story set during WWII. It was co-authored by two and provides readers with an engaging novel. 

The narratives of Louise, Joe, Gabriel, and Helaine are particularly captivating. While the story addresses various horrors of war, it also weaves in elements of romance. Overall, the reader experiences a blend of history and storytelling that includes unexpected twists and turns and themes of hope, love, and betrayal, all of which keep the reader turning the pages until the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance reading of your book.

Lucas: Book 2: the Flex Series Kindle Edition by Celeste Granger

 Book Excerpt:

"For Journi St. James, traveling the world was status quo, something she had been doing since birth. But as an international translator who speaks multiple languages, she changed what she was used to, parlaying her travel into an illustrious career. Traveling and negotiation were also how Journi dealt with past hurt from love, not long lost.

Lucas Baker also traveled the world but for very different reasons. He is his primary bodyguard to Gideon. St. Clair and Gideon's musical endeavors took Lucas to places others had only dreamed of. Unfortunately, his busy schedule precluded Lucas from laying a loving foundation and building with that special someone.
But a chance encounter would change the trajectory of their hidden desires and place Journi in Lucas' orbit. So she's reticent, not willing to avail herself of another hurt. Yet his persistence and consistency prove to Journi that finding real love is worth the risk."

Title: Lucas
Author: Celeste Granger
Publisher: C.G.
Series: Flex Series Book 2
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Lucas" by Celeste Granger

My Sentiments:

'Lucas' was quite a good read that featured Lucas and Journi. They met after working as security for Gideon as this series continues. Journi has just come out of a relationship, and a connection will start with meeting Lucas. But was it to be after she found herself pregnant with her ex's baby? The story will be an enjoyable romance as one will see how well Lucas treats Journi in all she is going through. Pick up this good read to see how well this author gives the reader a loving and attractive story that will keep one turning the pages until the end.

Gideon & Gabrielle: The Revisiting Love Series Book 2 Kindle Edition by Celeste Granger

 Book Excerpt:

"The first note from Gideon’s horn broke through the silence, piercingly crystal clear, pitch-perfect. The vibrato that came from the bell of his trumpet was like a warming current, creating wave upon wave of musical energy that penetrated everyone in the crowd. The note was hypnotizing in its purity. He was playing for her. Gideon was playing to Gabrielle.

She loved Gideon past this life and into the next. Yet, Gabrielle’s demons refused to sit idly by. They haunted her and threatened to derail the most beautiful love she’d ever know. It would take a strength Gabrielle didn’t know she had, a willingness to be vulnerable when needed, and a drive to push past her pain. it would also take Gideon’s relentless, ruthless love for Gabrielle to see them through.

**This is a spinoff series of The Men of Mafia St. Clair. Highly recommended that you read that series first but it is not required. This book can stand alone."

Title: Gideon & Gabrielle
Author: Celeste Granger
Publisher: C.G.
Series: The Revisiting Love Series Book 2
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Gideon & Gabrielle" by Celeste Granger

My Assessment:

'Gideon and Gabrielle' was a beautifully told story in this second series of The Revisiting Love. These two belonged together with the love they shared. I loved how the family was all there to share their passion for the family's connection. And it was good to see Gabrielle coming out in all that she had gone through with her losing her mother and the recovery of her brother. My, my, my, that was some beautiful wedding vows.