Monday, August 13, 2018

Winning Miss Winthrop

GIVEAWAY
MILLER, CAROLYN
WINNING MISS WINTHROP

Catherine Winthrop has cried out to God too many times to count. Years ago, the man who stole her heart rejected her -- and she's never recovered. Now tragedy has brought him back into her life. This time it isn't her heart he's taking, it's her home and her family's good name -- and she has no one to share her grief.

Jonathan Carlew's life may look enviable from the outside -- wealthy, handsome, landed -- but the mystery surrounding his birth has shadowed his entire life. Now as he ascends to the barony, fresh challenges await, including a scheming mama who wants him to embrace power, even at the cost of losing love. How can he remain the kind, honorable man he strives to be and still meet the demands of his new society responsibilities?

These two broken hearts must decide whether their painful past and bitter present will be all they can share, or if forgiveness can provide a path to freedom for the future.

Set in the sumptuous salons of Bath, Regency England's royal breeding ground for gossip, Winning Miss Winthrop is the first volume in Carolyn Miller's new series won't want to miss this new set of characters.

My Review:

Jane Austen eat your heart out! There's definitely a Persuasion vibe to this incredible first book in a new series by Carolyn Miller. We're back exchanging banter and barbs in Regency England where appearances are everything and everyone must live by an exhaustive list of rules or be cut from polite society. And our hero and heroine -- Catherine and Jonathan -- are a pair of the most exasperating characters I have ever met within the pages of a book.

Misunderstandings based on assumptions and wounded feelings create havoc in their lives as they are thrown together by circumstance. Unlike most romance novels, this couple spends a lot of their time apart; but since readers are privy to their innermost thoughts we also have a front row seat to their deepest longings. These two dunderheads are in love and have been for some time but neither is willing to forgive the other and, until they do, they have no hope of unraveling the past and revealing the truth. I never wanted to knock two heads together more than with Catherine and Jonathan. And give them a good scolding while I was at it. Talk about a page-turning reader dilemma.

As in all Miller's stories, this one has a fascinating and infuriating cast of secondary characters. Catherine's mother -- like nails on a chalkboard! That woman grated on my nerves something awful even though she did provide some groan-out-loud laughable moments as well. Catherine has the patience of a saint to put up with her mother's histrionics, that's all I can say! And fans of Miller's previous series (Regency Brides : a Legacy of Grace) will be thrilled to discover some familiar faces in Winning Miss Winthrop which is a surprise bonus! (Though it isn't essential that you read the first series to follow this one.)

I'm in a euphoric tizzy of Regency proportions having just finished WMW -- and giddy with delight over the fact that the second book in the Regency Brides : a Promise of Hope series is already out. Miss Serena's Secret here I come!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Winning Miss Winthrop, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday August 19, 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

44 comments:

  1. Ooh, angsty love! LattebooksAThotmailDOTcom

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  2. Somehow I missed this one when it came out. She is a favorite author of mine. Wonderful giveaway!

    dianemestrella at gmail dot com

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    1. Me too and I only realized it until I started seeing the hype for Miss Serena's Secret and went wait a minute...I think I am missing something here. :-) Good luck, Diane.

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  3. Another whose books I have missed. Enjoyed your review! Thanks!

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    1. She excels at Regency banter -- you know saying one thing while meaning something else and the relentless gossip etc. I get such a kick out of it. Good luck, CC.

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  4. I've been hearing lots of great things! Thanks for the chance to win!
    gatorade635(at)gmail(dot)com

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  5. Wow! I am excited about this one! Thank you, Kav! mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  6. I've been reading quite a few recency novels recently. This sounds like a good one to add to the list! And the first in a series to boot☺

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. It's always great to get in at the beginning of a series, isn't it? Good luck, Patty.

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  7. Been reading good things about this book. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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  8. LOOOOOVE her books!! This one was SOOOO good!! I just finished reading Miss Serena's Secret and it. Is. AMAZING!!! (The Making of Mrs. Hale, book 3 in this set, will be out in September. So be on the lookout!)
    Don't enter me (as I already own, and have read, this book), but I just had to stop by and encourage everyone else to get out there and read this book!!

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    1. Elly, I didn't see your comment until after I posted mine. Another confirmation that I need to read my copy now. 😊

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    2. You're ahead of me, Elly. I don't know how Miss Winthrop slipped my radar -- she was on my lists!!! But I'm intrigued by Serena from reading about her in this book. Am definitely curious about her story.

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    3. I know! I felt the same about Serena after I read Winning Miss Winthrop! Now, of course, it all makes sense... But I'll leave you to discover her secrets for yourself 😉

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    4. What a tease! Way to sell a book, Elly!

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  9. Really? Jane Austen?! Delighted with Miller's first series, I've already purchased this one, but have yet to start it. You have piqued my reader anticipation euphoria (RAE) with that Austen reference. My heart be stilled, because Austen is the reason I fell in love with witty romance. I refuse to call it romantic-comedy, because so much of the rom-com sub-genre relies on slap-stick. Which I'm not as keen on unless I'm caught completely unaware that it shocks me into laughter. That being said, clever and witty banter are what I find most appealing, but add that along with poignancy and breath-stealing romance and I'm a goner. This book has now been relegated to my Must Be Read Now pile. Thank you very much. :-)

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    1. And Carolyn Miller does it so well! And the mother is mind boggling awful as only a highly strung Regency mama can be. lol Happy Reading!

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  10. It truly is! Good luck, Kate.

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  11. Love these regency novels! Great review!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. Thanks, rubynreba. I love them too (in case you couldn't tell!) Good luck!

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  12. This one sounds like a great read by this new author. Hoping to win a copy! Thanks for the chance.
    gobersATembarqmailDOTcom

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  13. I have the first two Regency Brides:A Legacy of Grace books on my Kindle and desperately need to get caught up with her writing! I've heard so much delicious things about Carolyn's books. Your review sealed the deal...love knocking heads together, literaryly speaking, of course!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. lol -- even though sometimes people in our lives need a good head knocking too? Good luck, Trixi.

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  14. I've been wanting to read this series. KAV, Thank you for the wonderful review and the chance to win a copy.

    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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  15. Carolyn's books have been consistently rated so well, and I can't wait to binge read them! Hearing about Jonathan and Catherine gets me excited all over again! Lol mylittlebirdiebooks (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. If you love Regency romance you will love her books. Good luck, Karen.

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  16. My favorite genre is mystery and I don't read Regency Romance books but ..... if I win, the book will be given to the Church Library so that others may enjoy this book.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Perfect selection for your library, Janet -- especially since it's the first of a new series. Good luck!

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  17. what a wonderful give a way. thanks for your great review. this looks to be a page turner.
    quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

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    1. You're welcome, Lori. It's an awesome story. Good luck.

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  18. Great book. We are book twins again. 😘

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    1. Twinsies!!!!!! We really could share a library -- though we might tussle over who gets to read what first. lol

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  19. I'm looking forward to seeing how Catherine & Jonathan get past their issues.
    turtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com

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  20. Yesss!!! ☺☺☺ Can't wait to read this one!
    Marian
    Mbaaij at hetnet dot nl

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  21. Thanks for the giveaway!

    ladysnowangelphotos(at)gmail(dot)com

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