Before it Was Music City {Giveaway}

A Beauty So Rare by Tamera Alexander
Published: March 25, 2014 by Bethany House
Series: Belmont Mansion #2
I don't read very many historical romance books, and I read even less historical Christian romance books. But even so, they're a nice change of pace, as was this one. It's about an "old maid," or a 29-year-old, Eleanor Braddock, who goes to live with her aunt at Belmont Mansion in Nashville after the Civil War. While their she meets Marcus Gottfried, an under gardener working for her aunt, expect Marcus is actually an archduke of Austria trying to escape his life while he still can. And I'm guessing you can figure out where the story goes from there.

As you might expect the whole thing is rather adorable. Yes, there are time you want to pull your hair out because if people would actually say what they're thinking everything would be resolved so much sooner. Except then the book would likely end by page 10 or so. And I did love hearing about the society of Nashville in the 1800s. Although I was a little shocked about how well everyone seemed to be doing, especially when I compare it do the plight of society in my favorite, Gone with the Wind.

But still, it wasn't quite the perfect book. It felt far longer than it really needed to be. I understand keeping characters apart, but halfway through I wondered what else there really was to tell.

Also, I had a few minor complaints with one of the smaller characters Eleanor helps out. She decides to cook a meal for a widow and her won that are Jewish and mentions that she avoids pork because she's not sure if they'll eat it. Instead she cooks them beef with creamed potatoes. While each by itself would be kosher, I find it hard to believe Jews in the 1800s would ignore such a basic kosher rule. Of course I don't know a lot about the history of kashrut and I do realize this is marketed to a Christian audience, but still, it felt a little off to me.

All complaining aside though, I really enjoyed this book and I would love to be able to visit Belmont Mansion in Nashville someday (which is a real place). I'd also be more than willing to read the other books in the series, partly to check in on Eleanor and Marcus, but really because I loved this setting.

4/5

I'm happy to say if you want to travel back in time to Nashville in the 1800s you're about to have your chance! I'm giving away 1 copy of this book to one lucky reader. (US and Canada only.) Please use the rafflecopter form below to enter!
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Disclosure: I was provided this book through TLC Book Tours. All opinions expressed are my own.

Mailbox Monday (71)

It's another Sunday, which means another day of fabulous books! So yes, I'm once again linking up my new additions with Mailbox Monday!
Won from Goodreads
I'll Take Care of You by Caitlin Rother
This is a True Crime book, something I've never actually before. But the cover looked interesting, so I couldn't help but enter to win. We'll see how I feel about it once I actually read it.

The Boleyn Reckoning by Laura Andersen
I really enjoyed the first in this trilogy when I read it last year. Of course I haven't yet picked up the second book, but now once I do, I'll have the final book waiting for me.

Won from Passages to the Past
Becoming Josephine by Heather Webb
I've actually only read a few novels that take place at Napoleon's court, but I've enjoyed each one. I don't know that I've ever read anything specifically about Josephine though, which is one reason I'm excited for this.

From Paperback Swap
Messenger by Lois Lowry
Back in college I read, and loved, both The Giver and Gathering Blue. I've yet to read the final two in the Giver Quartet, but I figured with the movie coming out, now was the perfect time.

For Review from TLC Book Tours
A Beauty So Rare by Tamera Alexander
This is a Christian Historical Romance that takes place in Nashville around the Civil War. I can't get over and pretty and calming the cover looks and am hoping the story inside is similar.

What did you find in your mailbox this week?

While you're here, don't forget to enter my giveaway for Comfort of Fences by Stacy Overman Morrison!

The Stolen Bride {Giveaway}

The Highlander's Reward by Eliza Knight
Published: July 19, 2012 by Eliza Knight
Series: Stolen Bride #1
Everyone once in a while you can't help but crave junk food. You know exactly what to expect with it, and while it may not be worthy of any awards, it's perfect because it meets your needs. The Highlander's Reward is exactly that type of book.

Lady Arebella is traveling to Scotland to marry the English lord decided on by the King of England. Laird Magnus is fighting the English alongside William Wallace. As unlikely a pair as they may be, this is a historical romance and part of a the Stolen Bride Series, so you know exactly how things will go.

They may have been aspects I wasn't a huge fan of, from the way to the Scottish brogue was written to what felt like historical inaccuracies (I can't imagine there were many vegetarians in the 1200s), and I may have wished to be a little more transported to the Scottish highlands, but it's hard to complain knowing what you were getting it.

And actually, I really enjoyed myself with this book. I read it in only a day or two since it was a book I didn't want to stop reading. There are a few steamy scenes which I think is a lot of the fun reading a book like this. While again it may not be the truest representation of history, I still loved this historical backdrop. There are currently seven books in the series, and after reading this one I'd love to get my hands on each one!

4.5/5

If you'd also like to get your hands on this series, I'm giving you all a chance to "steal" a copy! Winners have the choice of a print copy (US Only) or an eBook (International). To enter please use the rafflecopter form below.
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Disclosure: I was provided this book through Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours. All opinions expressed are my own.

Mailbox Monday (65)

Another busy week of books for me! So, as always, I'm linking up with Mailbox Monday!
From Paperback Swap
The Runaway by Terry Kay
This is actually our book club book for the month. I actually don't know much about it, except that from the summary it takes place in the South after WWII. But I do love historical fiction and enjoy reading about the South so hopefully it's one I'll enjoy.

From Goodreads
The Deepest Secret by Carla Buckley
I remember loving a Lifetime movie growing up about two little girls who were allergic to sunlight. I can't even remember the name of it, but certain scenes still are vivid in my memories. Which is why I'm so excited about this mystery since one of the main characters is a boy with a similar medical condition where he must avoid sunlight.

From Historical Fiction Book Tours
The Highlander's Reward by Eliza Knight
I haven't read much about Scotland, but it's definitely a place I'm curious about, which is of course why I'm excited to start this one.

Won at Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell
Billion Dollar Cowboy by Carolyn Brown
The Cowboy's Mail Order Bride by Carolyn Brown
The Cowboy's Christmas Baby by Carolyn Brown
Not only did I receive these 3 books, but also this sparkly cowboy boot ornament. I'm not quite sure which of these I'm most excited about, but maybe The Cowboy's Christmas Baby.

What did you find in your mailbox this week?

You still have time to enter my giveaway to win a copy of Marie Antoinette's Head!

An Outlander Love Story

Timeless Desire by Gwyn Cready
Panna Kennedy is a librarian, still getting over the death of her husband two years prior. Her library is facing budget cuts so she searches the library in hopes in finding something to help turn things around. But in her search she instead walks through a door that takes here to the Highlands in Scotland, where she meets the handsome Captain Bridgewater, soldier of the British army.

Going into this I thought it would be cute, and probably a little cheesy. I thought I would enjoy it, but wasn't expecting too much from it. Except the book took me by surprise and I really enjoyed my time with it.

I was afraid the book would be all romance and little history. Not that it would have been a bad thing, and I still would have enjoyed it, but I love reading more historical books. I can't say how historically accurate the situation in Scotland was, but there was enough name dropping (mainly Queen Anne and the Duke of Marlborough) that it felt authentic to me.

At lot of time when I read these romance type books, the love scenes read a little uneasy for me. But after read 50 Shades, this felt really tame. I have a feeling this is going to be true for most romance books I read now, and it's definitely an interesting development.

Again, this book was a great surprise and a fun escape from everyday life. It was the perfect version of a romance meets history for me, and I think I'd really enjoy Cready other books as well.

4.5/5

Disclosure: I was provided this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. For more information on where to purchase this book visit the publisher's website.

Today I'm linking up with Blonde Undercover Blonde for Book Club Friday!