Rachelle J. Christensen

Romance, Suspense, Mystery Author

Book Review: Beauty and the Clockwork Beast by Nancy Campbell Allen

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

When I first started reading Beauty and the Clockwork Beast, it took me a minute to find my footing as I realized that maybe I didn’t know steampunk very well. In essence, this book takes place in London, long ago but the steampunk part is that people have access to electricity in Tesla coils and many clockwork mechanisms that provide transportation, robots, and even airships (planes). Also, there are vampires and werewolves. Not what I was expecting at all from a typical proper romance and totally different from Nancy’s earlier release, My Fair Gentleman, but this book was just as good. Once I recognized what continent/age I was supposed to be in, then I burned through this book.

This novel had everything I love in a great story. Lucy is an interesting character and a force to be reckoned with. I loved the interactions of her and Lord Miles Blackwell. I also loved the mystery throughout! It was fun to watch the romance unfold even as I paid attention to the clues that Allen left along the way. I liked the otherworldly connections and the drawback to one of my favorite fairy tales–Beauty and the Beast. Allen is an excellent writer and she’s created another enchanting story that I highly recommend. If you haven’t tried Steampunk before–don’t let that scare you. This story has all the same classic underpinnings as a traditional proper romance novel.

Here’s more about the book:

When Lucy Pickett arrives at Blackwell Manor to tend to her ailing cousin, Kate, she finds more than she bargained for. A restless ghost roams the hallways, werewolves have been reported in the area, and vampires lurk across the Scottish border.
Lord Miles himself is clearly hiding a secret. He is brash and inhospitable and does not take kindly to visitors—even one as smart and attractive as Miss Pickett. He is unsettled by the mysterious deaths of his new wife, Clara, and his sister, Marie. Could Miles himself be to blame for the deaths?
Working together, Miles and Lucy attempt to restore peace to Blackwell Manor. But can Lucy solve the mystery of Miles? Can she love the man—beast and all?

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Book Review: The Lady of the Lakes by Josi S. Kilpack

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

I am a huge fan of Josi Kilpack and her new line of Historical Proper Romance novels are absolutely wonderful! I’m thrilled to share my thoughts on her newest release, The Lady of the Lakes, the love story of Sir Walter Scott.

I love a good historical romance and because this one is based on actual lives in history, it made it all the more intriguing to me. Walter Scott lived a humble life and fell in love with someone far above his station. I think it’s interesting to note that later in his life, he was knighted and became Sir Walter Scott. The love story unfolds as Walter and Mina are very young, as they grow, Mina begins to question if she is truly in love with Walter. The character of Walter is written as a man who felt things deeply and experienced life’s hardships, failures, and successes with the viewpoint of a writer. When Walter meets Charlotte, it is a completely different feeling from the young Mina which brings more confusion. What is the right love, the true love for his heart?

I love Charlotte’s no-nonsense character and immediately thought of her as someone I’d like to be friends with. She also had a hard life and rose above her circumstances to do great things. During a point of history where scandal and history taint innocent children, Charlotte believes she will most likely not marry. It was with great anticipation that I read this novel to find out the story that actually took place in Walter Scott’s life.

If you like historical romance that is well-written, clean, and enthralling, read The Lady of the Lakes. Kilpack has proven that her novels won’t ever collect dust on the nightstand because they’re too good to put down!

Here’s more about the book:

One is his first love.
The other is his best love.
Which will be Walter’s true love?
Walter Scott has three passions: Scotland, poetry, and Mina Stuart. Though she is young and they are from different stations in society, Walter is certain their love is meant to be. For years, he has courted her through love letters. She is the sunshine of his soul. Though Mina shares Walter’s love of literature and romantic temperament, it’s hard for her to know if she truly loves him or if she has only been dazzled by his flattery. When she meets the handsome and charming William Forbes, her heart is challenged. Who will she choose? But as every poet knows, “the course of true love never did run smooth,” and on a windy morning in the lake country, Walter meets Charlotte. At twenty-six, Charlotte Carpenter believes she will never find love. After all, she is a Catholic-born Frenchwoman living in London with a family history shadowed by scandal. Though quiet, practical, and determined to live a life of independence, her heart longs for someone to love her and a place to call home. Passion and promises collide as Walter, Mina, and Charlotte must each decide the course for their futures. What are they each willing to risk to find love and be loved in return?

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Wedding Planner Mystery Box Set Now Available

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Enjoy all three of the bestselling Wedding Planner Mysteries in this box set. Includes Diamond Rings Are Deadly Things, Veils and Vengeance, and Proposals and Poison, plus special bonus sneak peeks of new novels!

This set of 3 ebooks is available on all digital platforms. You can use this universal book link here: https://books2read.com/wedding-planner-boxed-set

Or visit these stores to grab your set of the bestselling cozy mystery series:

Amazon

Apple Books

Barnes & Noble

KOBO

Google Play

Diamond Rings Are Deadly Things 
Adrielle Pyper knows how to plan a wedding, and she’s especially good at pleasing bridezillas. But when her biggest client and best friend is murdered just three days before the wedding, Adri’s world falls apart. She moves to the resort town of Sun Valley, Idaho, and starts from scratch. Thanks to Adri’s impeccable taste and unique style, she lands two celebrity clients, and her business seems headed for success—until someone vandalizes the specialty wedding dresses she imported from overseas. Adri must race to uncover the secret hidden within the yards of satin and lace before she becomes the next victim.
With a delightful blend of mystery, toe-curling kisses, humor, and spine-tingling thrills, Diamond Rings are Deadly Things will keep you turning pages long into the night.

Right now the audio version of Diamond Rings are Deadly Things is on a special sale on several different platforms. I’m including links to those sales. Pick your favorite. The narrator did such a tremendous job that while listening I sometimes forgot that I actually wrote the book. 🙂

Downpour Blackstone Audio

Audiobooks Now

Audiobookstore

KOBO

NOOK

Veils and Vengeance 
When wedding planner Adrielle Pyper orchestrates a destination ceremony in Hawaii, she’s prepared for anything—except murder.
After the trauma of her last event, the beautiful isle of Kauai is the perfect place for Adri to unwind and do what she does best – plan. She even lets herself indulge in the attention of the groom’s handsome brother. But just when everything seems to be perfect, an afternoon snorkeling trip turns deadly when Adri discovers the body of a young woman.
Shaken, but unable to let go, Adri’s sleuthing leads her into more danger than she bargained for. When a number of “accidents” threaten her own life, it soon becomes apparent that someone will do anything to keep Adri from interfering with their vengeance.

Proposals and Poison 
Love can be a very dangerous thing.
At least it seems that way to Adri Pyper, the premier wedding planner in Sun Valley, Idaho. When one of her clients dies mysteriously, Adri takes the advice of the local detective and swears she will stay out of the investigation . . . this time. Luke Stetson’s involvement in the case, along with the possibility of a kiss between the two, should be enough incentive to keep Adri out of trouble. But when a dog-themed wedding is almost ruined by a suspect, Adri and her assistant, Lorea, are thrust into private eye mode. When poison enters the picture, even a reluctant sleuth can’t steer clear of danger.
For great craft tips, visit Adri’s website, www.mashedpotatoesandcrafts.com.

 

Grab the box set of all 3 Wedding Planner Mystery novels today!

Book Review: Lies Jane Austen Told Me by Julie Wright

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

Who doesn’t love Jane Austen? I am a huge fan of Austen and contemporary romance and this new book by Julie Wright manages to cover both of those points. Lies Jane Austen Told Me captured my attention and my heart. This sweet love story was so fun to read!

I love the voice that Wright infuses into her characters. Emma is witty, sometimes sarcastic, and has a love/hate relationship with Jane Austen. I like that she’s vulnerable and has a depth to her that is meaningful to the story. Blake Hampton seemed like the perfect boyfriend, but I’m so glad that Emma has a chance to get to know his brother Lucas before she makes her final decision.

If you’re looking for the perfect sweet contemporary romance–a clean read–then you’ll want to pick up Lies Jane Austen Told Me by Julie Wright.

Here’s more about the book:

Ever since Emma read Pride and Prejudice, she’s been in love with Mr. Darcy and has regarded Jane Austen as the expert on all things romantic. So naturally when Emma falls for Blake Hampton and he invites her home to meet his parents, she is positive an engagement is in her future. After all, Blake is a single man in possession of a good fortune, and thus must be in want of a wife.
But when it turns out that what Blake actually wants is more of a hook-up than a honeymoon, Emma is hurt, betrayed, and furious. She throws herself deeper into her work as CMO of Kinetics, the fastest growing gym franchise in the nation. She loves her work, and she’s good at it, which is why she bristles when her boss brings in a consultant to help her spearhead the new facilities on the East Coast. Her frustration turns to shock when that consultant turns out to be Blake’s younger brother, Lucas.
Emma is determined not to fall for Lucas, but as she gets to know him, she realizes that Lucas is nothing like his brother. He is kind and attentive and spends his time and money caring for the less fortunate.
What she can’t understand is why Lucas continues to try to push her back into Blake’s arms when he so clearly has fallen as hard for her as she has fallen for him.
Realizing that her love life is as complicated as anything Jane Austen could have dreamed up, Emma must find a way to let Blake know that it’s time for him to let her go and to let Lucas know it’s time for him to love her back.
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Book Review: The Vicar’s Daughter by Josi S. Kilpack

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

I LOVED The Vicar’s Daughter! I loved the character of Cassie–her vibrant personality that got her into so much trouble when she was only trying to help her very shy sister Lenora to find a husband in Evan. The twist right at the beginning of the story is that Cassie starts to fall in love with Evan. I love Evan’s character as well and it was fun to read from his perspective as he tried to figure out the stark differences between “Lenora’s letters” and her real temperament in person.
I read this book quickly because I couldn’t wait to get to the happy ending. I really enjoyed the setting of this book in the countryside away from London. It’s still Regency England but the courtship process was slightly more relaxed. I also enjoyed the family that Kilpack created with Cassie having five sisters and Evan having two sisters as well. I hope there are more stories to be told from this little village! I think this is one of my favorite from the proper romance line. If you decide to read it, beware, you might fall in love with the characters too!
Here’s more about the book:
Cassie, the youngest of six daughters in the Wilton family, is bold, bright, and ready to enter society. There’s only one problem: her older sister Lenora, whose extreme shyness prevents her from attending many social events. Lenora is now entering her third season, and since their father has decreed that only one Wilton girl can be out at a time, Cassie has no choice except to wait her turn.
Evan Glenside, a soft-spoken, East London clerk, has just been named his great-uncle’s heir and, though he is eager to learn all that will be required of him, he struggles to feel accepted in a new town and in his new position.
A chance meeting between Evan and Lenora promises to change everything, but when Lenora proves too shy to pursue the relationship, Cassie begins to write Mr. Glenside letters in the name of her sister. Her good intentions lead to disaster when Cassie realizes she is falling in love with Evan. But then Evan begins to court Lenora, thinking she is the author of the letters.
As secrets are revealed, the hearts of Cassie, Evan, and Lenora are tested. Will the final letter sent by the vicar’s daughter be able to reunite the sisters as well as unite Evan with his true love?

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Book Review: The Woman With No Name by Kelly Nelson

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The Woman with No Name by [Nelson, Kelly]Book Thoughts by Rachelle

The Woman With No Name is an excellent clean read that was fast-paced and set in an interesting area of Utah. I like the way the book started out with tension increasing throughout each chapter. Reading through both the viewpoints of Skye and Colton add to the romantic tension in the story. About midpoint, the story lagged a little bit when Skye and Colton figure out who she really is. I think this was mostly because I was completely impatient with her horribly self-absorbed fiance and I wanted to get back to the heart of the story. There is a ton of hunting detail so if you’re a fan of hunting, this story will resonate with you. Overall, a fun, light read that will leave you smiling with the perfect conclusion.

Here’s more about the book:

Sworn bachelor Colton Murdock gets more than he bargained for on the elk hunt
when he finds an injured woman in Utah’s high country. She must have a
history, but she wakes up to towering pines and the clap of a thunderstorm with no recollection of her name or how she came to be there. Colt brings her to the safety of his camp, trying to ignore the first stirrings of his heart since the tragic death of his fiancée six years ago.

The young woman can’t help falling for her ruggedly handsome rescuer, who calls her Skye for her blue eyes. But her life goes into a tailspin when she is recognized as Lily Vanasche, fiancée of a popular TV news anchorman, and Colt is arrested for a series of crimes—including her abduction. After the real kidnapper leaves a death threat in Lily’s ransacked house, the clock starts ticking. Can she remember her past before it catches up with her?

This exciting romantic-suspense novel will appeal to readers who enjoy inspirational Christian fiction.

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