Romance Book Review: Emma's Journey by Callie Hutton

Emma's Journey

By Callie Hutton

Review by Morgan Wyatt

About the Book:

Releasing February 15th, 2013

Now that Emma Thorpe’s husband has been killed on the wagon train to Oregon, she wants to return to Indiana, but the wagon master has forced her to marry Wagon Scout, Davis Cooper. He wants to make their marriage work; she intends to flee as soon as they arrive at their destination.

Emma Thorpe did not want to leave her life in Indiana to travel to Oregon on a wagon train, but her husband Peter had other ideas. Barely three weeks into the trip Peter is killed, and Emma is shocked that the wagon master won’t let her return home.

Wagon Scout Davis Cooper has decided this would be his last scouting trip, he intends to obtain land in the new Oregon territory, find a wife, and start a family.

When the Wagon Master orders Emma to marry Davis she rebels, but eventually comes to realize she can’t go it alone, no matter how stubborn she is. But nothing will make her give up her dream to return home.

Can Davis change her mind, and have the life he’s always wanted with his unexpected wife?

Morgan's Review:

Emma’s Journey by Callie Hutton is much more than a historical romance. It is a tale of the grit and determination of the earlier settlers who chose to head west. Emma, the heroine didn’t intend to go west leaving her home and family in Indiana, but her husband Peter has other ideas.

Emma tables her reservations about joining the wagon train aware her husband is anxious to make a fresh start somewhere else. Weeks into the trip, not only it is harder than she imagined, but it becomes even harder.  Peter dies trying to control a spooked horse, leaving Emma alone.  Devastated, she buries Peter along the trail and asks for an escort back home. Her request shows her innocence that the wagon train, can stop, and honor her request.

Davis Cooper is hurt trying to save Peter from the out of control horse. The wagon train boss puts him in Emma’s wagon to care for until he can get back on his feet. The uptight woman secretly amuses him, but he does appreciate her care. He finds himself helping Emma with her wagon. He admires her pluck, and endurance, despite the fact she makes no secret of her desire to return to Indiana.

Life is difficult crossing the rugged terrain, and impossible for a woman alone as Emma quickly finds out. If she drops out of the train, she’ll surely perish. Only Davis Cooper’s continual help keeps her going, but a single woman can’t keep accepting the help, or companionship of a single male. His solution is marriage. How can she marry a stranger, especially when she just buried a previous husband? Even though she finds herself drawn to him, accepting her proposal will put her back in the same uncomfortable position she had with Peter traveling to a place she doesn’t want to settle.

Emma is a dynamic character who grows through her various hardships. Davis Cooper is an emotionally wounded individual who finds solace in Emma. The antagonist of the entire tale is the trail itself. Miss Hutton goes into detail to show the various difficulties of the wagon train members. It is a man against nature conflict that has you rooting for Emma, and the other wagon train members.

Emma’s Journey is a historical romance, but also is a journal of the hardships the early western settlers faced. This sweet romance should appeal to historical romance and romance fans alike.  

Guest Historical Romance Review: My Wicked Little Lies by Victoria Alexander

Thank you so much to Kira Decker, who has done a guest review for us! 

My Wicked Little Lies (Sinful Family Secrets) by Victoria Alexander

About the Book:

Evelyn Hadley-Attwater has it all--a genteel Victorian life replete with loving husband, ball gowns and elegant parties. No one, including the man she married, suspects that she was once "Eve," a spy for England's most enigmatic intelligence agency. Summoned for one final assignment, the excitement of her former life and memories of her mysterious, flirtatious boss "Sir" prove too tempting. . .

Adrian Hadley-Attwater is a respectable, dignified gentleman. But even the most proper gentlemen have secrets of their own. Secrets from the rest of the world, from their families, from their wives. Secrets that have a price. Now, as a veil of secrecy frays, a tantalizing game of cat and mouse will test the bounds of unfailing love. . .

Available in Ebook and Paperback

ISBN: 978-1420117066

Zebra Books

My Review:

I have to admit, this book surprised me. I loved the premise that the two main characters were already married instead of the typical storyline of getting to that result.

Although the plot is lacking depth in some places, the characters themselves are delightful. Evelyn is a feisty young woman who has left the adventurous life of a spy behind for the quiet safety of marriage. Having been married for two years the heroine, Evelyn Hadley-Attwater, finds herself drawn back into her past life as a spy. A past she has never quite figured out how to explain to her prim and proper husband, Adrian, an Earl in London’s high society.

Adrian, truly in love with his wife, also has a past about which he neglected to inform his wife. His fears that Evelyn may not love him as much as he thought, lead him to develop outrageous schemes to determine whom she really does love. Him or his alter ego, Sir. Adrian shows how sometimes, love can make a fool out of you even after you are married.

The story transported me into London’s high society in the late 1800s and the not so proper goings-on between the privileged upper class. In an almost keystone cop like series of miscues, the twists and turns kept me entertained. Even though the events were predictable in many places, the comedic miscommunications made the adventure enjoyable and I found myself wondering just how the characters would extradite themselves from the problems of their own crafting. The secondary characters, especially Beryl, added to the comedy and the side romance of the sidekick characters Max and Celeste, was a nice contrast to the relationship of Evelyn and Adrian. I chuckled at the absurdity of situations that could have been avoided with simple communications. Marriage is often like that and Ms. Alexander captured that beautifully.

An enjoyable read with a fresh twist on the normal romantic story.

Historical Romance Review: A Perfect Knight for Love by Jackie Ivie

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Deep in the Scottish Highlands, a stalwart clansman and a wayward bride confront duty and desire…

A Man Of Misfortune

With his reckless, drunken brother bringing ruin to the clan, and the lass he’s loved all his life in the clutches of a violent husband, the last thing Thayne MacGowan needs is a spirited, sharp-tongued damsel to contend with—no matter how enticing she may be…

A Woman With A Secret

Having narrowly escaped an objectionable arranged marriage, Amalie is starting a new life—with a new identity. But her freedom is cut short when a surly but irresistibly handsome Highlander is forced to take her as his bride. If only he knew who she really was…

An Unlikely Love

Fate designs an improbable match, and a battle of wills ensues. As Amalie struggles to protect her identity, Thayne finds himself fighting for an unexpected love—and a passion neither can refuse…

ISBN: 978-1-4201-2400-2

On Sale Date: September 4, 2012

Kensington, Zebra -- Paperback

MY REVIEW:

Ms. Ivie has penned a compelling, passionate tale of adventure, love and loyalty. Amalie and Thayne are larger than life, each with their own views on how the world should work--which just so happen to conflict with one another.

Amalie, a lady born of English Society, takes on the disguise of a governess, escaping an unwanted marriage. She travels to Scotland to become a governess--which seems all well an good, but the clothes are not what she'd prefer! Literally, she lands in the arms of the hero and is swiftly thrust into a dangerous adventure. Highlanders, battles, enemies, lies. All of it, and she does the best thing she knows how--acts her way out of it, or so she thinks. In fact, she'll end up embroiling herself further.

Thayne is a seasoned warrior, a tougher than tough Highlander, who seems to undergo an immeasurable amount of pain both physically and emotionally and still can be gentle with his heroine. He owns every page he graces. A bit brutish on the outside, inside Thayne has a heart of gold--even if he doesn't believe Amalie is who she says she is.

Great descriptions of castles, decor, clothing, the Scottish countryside. The scenery was vivid and truly popped.  This was a nice escape story. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of Ms. Ivie's work.

Historical Romance Review: My Fierce Highlander by Vonda Sinclair

I'm a sucker for Scottish romance--love Highlanders! So when I had the opportunity to read Vonda Sinclair's debut historical romance, My Fierce Highlander, (LOVE the cover by the way) you bet I jumped on it, and loaded this baby up to my e-reader as fast as I could! I was not disappointed, and you won't be either!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Gwyneth Carswell, an English lady banished by her father to the harsh Scottish Highlands, wants nothing more than to take her young son away from the violence of two fighting clans--her own distant kin, the MacIrwins, and their enemies, the MacGraths. She risks everything to rescue the fierce MacGrath warrior from the battlefield where he’s left for dead by her clan. She only knows she is inexplicably drawn to him and he wants peace as she does. When her clan learns of her betrayal, they seek vengeance. Dare she trust the enemy more than her own family?


Laird Alasdair MacGrath is driven to end two-hundred years of feuding with the MacIrwins. But by taking in and protecting Lady Gwyneth and her son, he provokes more attacks from his mortal enemy. As the danger and conflict surrounding them escalate, Alasdair and Gwyneth discover an explosive passion neither of them expected. With the arrival of a powerful man from her past, a horrible decision confronts her--give up her son or the man she loves.

Available now as an ebook.

MY REVIEW

The book starts out with action, intensity, drawing you in immediately. Ms. Sinclair has penned both a heroine and hero the reader easily connects to and empathizes with. Both are stubborn, courageous, loyal, loving and fierce. And have a habit of saving each other's lives.

The stakes are high for both Gwyneth and Alasdair, and just when it seems that things might calm down, that they might both finally gain what they are yearning for--disaster strikes!  You'll be kept on the edge of your seat until the sweet end.

The historical facts were spot on. I love being able to visualize everything in the book, the clothes, the castles, the weapons, the fight scenes, the landscape, the horses, etc... In addition to a great deal of obvious historical and herbal research, the author did an excellent job with sensory details. I could smell, hear, feel along with the characters.

You will also find another sweet character in this book, Rory--Gwyneth's son. He was so adorable, and did all the things my own five year old does, even down to hopping across the room in excitement. I do enjoy a book that has a child(ren) in it, because as a mother, it makes me smile and remember why I had kids in the first place (especially when they are ripping each other's hair out while I'm reading...sigh. Thanks for the reminder, Ms. Sinclair!)

Beyond the intensity of this story, there is an enchanting love developing between the two main characters with explosive love scenes, that take your breath away. I liked watching how the author weaved their love together, it was vivid, and left no question of motivation in my mind--and toward the end when it looks like they just might not be together forever, I wanted to reach inside there and throttle them both!  But, Ms. Sinclair did not disappoint, and in the end I was a truly satisfied reader.

Well done, Ms. Sinclair! I highly recommend this book! And now I'm off to read the sequel, because I just have to see how Alasdair's brother fairs in love...

Historical Romance Review: A Gentleman Never Tells by Amelia Grey

I am a fan of Amelia Grey's Regency romances, so when I had the opportunity to read A Gentleman Never Tells, I was very excited about it.

Book Info:

When a lady is in a predicament...


Beautiful, clever and courageous Lady Gabrielle thwarts the shackles of her arranged betrothal by kissing a stranger in the park. But who is this man? Finding herself stuck in yet another forced engagement Gabrielle needs another strategy that isn’t so dangerous.

A gentleman may find himself in deep trouble...

Viscount Brentwood is walking in the park early one morning when a beautiful, enchanting young lady walks out of the mist and into his arms. Now Brent has no choice but to marry the delightful Lady Gabrielle.

Unfortunately his intended bride has other ideas, and the determined Viscount finds himself plunging into one scandal after another.

A GENTLEMAN NEVER TELLS

The Rogues' Dynasty #4
Mass Market Paperback
ISBN-10: 1402239750
ISBN-13: 978-1402239755
Released in July 2011

My Review...

I have read Ms. Grey's other books in The Rogues' Dynasty series, so I was excited to see some secondary characters previewed previously brought more to life: such as the twins who look just like Sir Randolph. But these are not the main characters of the story, rather the twins' older brother, Lord Brentwood.

This story started off with a bang! An intriguing plot and a hero and heroine who sizzled not only with their clandestine kiss, but their witty banter. The banter continued throughout the story, and kept the pages flipping. A cute story, with an interesting secondary plot of dog-knapping. Lots of sensual kisses, some funny twists--loved the scene with the "orbs"!! And you will too, but I'm not telling you what its about, you'll just have to read it!

The ending was satisfactory in that Gabrielle and Brent do get together despite her, How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, type motivation, and her nasty ex-fiance's schemes. The mystery of the missing dogs is resolved satisfactorily and actually helps the characters to grow and change which I enjoyed. I did have some tears toward the end, there is a sad moment, which if you are a dog lover, you will cry too! But there was one thing that I wished had been different--Rosabelle, Gabrielle's selfish sister. I did not like that she had what appeared to be a happy ending. She did nothing but torture her sister the whole book, and Gabrielle just took it. Gabrielle had such a strong backbone, I didn't understand why when it came to her sister she let her walk all over her. It was reminiscent of Lydia from P&P, the way she was so selfish and willing to do whatever it took to get her way. I wish her ending had been more like Lydia, that after walking all over everyone, she wasn't so pleased with herself. My dislike of her sister did not detract from the story however, but rather had me itching for Gabrielle to rat her out--which I will not tell you whether or not that happened else it would spoil the story!

Another great story by Ms. Grey! Cheers to you!