Tuesday, July 18, 2017

A Name Unknown

GIVEAWAY
WHITE, ROSEANNA M.
A NAME UNKNOWN

She's out to steal his name. Will he steal her heart instead?

Rosemary Gresham has no family beyond the band of former urchins who helped her survive as a girl in the mean streets of London. Grown now, they are no longer pickpockets -- instead they focus on high value items and have learned how to blend into upper-class society. Rosemary is beginning to question whether she can continue in this life when she's offered the challenge of a lifetime -- determine whether a certain wealthy gentleman is loyal to Britain or to Germany. After all how does one steal a family's history, their very name?

As Europe moves ever close to World War I, rumors swirl around Peter Holstein. Awkward and solitary, but with access to the king, many fear his influence. But Peter can't help his German last name and wants to prove his loyalty to the Crown -- so he can go back to anonymously writing a series of popular adventure novels. When Rosemary arrives on his doorstep pretending to be a well-credentialed historian, Peter believes she's the right person to help him dig through his family's past.

When danger and suspicion continue to mount, both realize they're in a race against time to discover the truth -- about Peter's past and about the undeniably attraction kindling between them.

My Review:

Clever concept brilliantly executed and I'm in a euphoric tizzy because this is the first in a new series. A kind of Dickens meets Austen with a healthy dose of Downton Abbey thrown in.

Rosemary is such a complex character. Charming and intelligent and fiercely dedicated to her self-made family of orphans picked off the London streets. As a child she survived by her prowess as a pickpocket; as an adult she's graduated to more refined thievery. She's a chameleon who can fit in anywhere so it isn't a stretch for her to take on the persona of a historical librarian. Squeeeallll. Yes, I said librarian. I do so love stories that glorify my chosen profession. :-)

Dear, sweet Peter is an atypical hero and I so love that about him. I'll let you discover his eccentricities for yourself, but though his demeanor might not always show it, he possesses a warrior's heart. Peter looks for the good in everyone, even though his German name is causing unfounded prejudice in his Cornish village. Cue the political intrigue and the reason Rosemary enters his household under false pretenses.

I'm still swooning over the snappy dialogue -- especially when Rosemary gets her Cockney dander up. Hysterical. She's an enigma that Peter can't quite grasp. She finds his mysterious ways  at odds with his gentle kindness. No matter how hard she digs, Rosemary can't find any dirt on Peter...until she discovers the most astonishing secret of all!

The dynamics between these two are sublime. Especially as Peter gently leads Rosemary to Christ in the touching inspirational thread that weaves its way through the story. This book has it all -- romance, humour, intrigue and the wonder of new found faith.

Book provided courtesy of Bakers Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Name Unknown, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you leave your email in your comment, 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 easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday July 23 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

65 comments:

  1. Love Roseanna M. White. Looking forward to reading this series!
    Elly -Indiana-

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    1. I haven't read enough of her books. Must rectify that. Good luck, Elly.

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  2. Love a good snappy comeback kind of book. Thanks for sharing. iamabho (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. You'll love this one then, Linda. Good luck.

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    2. I'm sure I would! Thanks again :)

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  3. As part of her street team, I'm suppose to be getting a paperback copy. Alas, problems with the publishing company not sending them out when they should have, has caused a major delay. Roseanna has said we may not get them until the END of the month (insert heavy sigh here)....

    So yeah, I'm in a quandary waiting for this much anticipated read (I am not a patient waiter-arounder). I do so love her writing & really enjoyed her Ladies of the Manor series.

    Loved the review, I already know I am in for a treat :-)

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    1. Ooooohhhhh-- you must clear your calendar for when it reaches you. Definitely on my top ten reads of 2017 (if I ever made up such a list!)

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    2. I've got a couple on that list myself for 2017; Sweetbrair Cottage by Denise Hunter & Life After by Katie Ganshert. If course I've read many more this year, but there's just those that REALLY stand out for me :-) I may have to add Peace in the Valley by Ruth Logan Herne as soon as I finish it (hopefully today). You just can't go wrong with her writing!

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  4. I love the cover of this book. It almost tells a story in itself.

    I loved your review as well. It makes me want this book all the more. Would love to win a copy.

    Blessings,
    Cindy W.
    countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com

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    1. Yes -the cover! The way she's looking over her shoulder...the books!!!! Good luck, Cindy.

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  5. I've been wanting to read this one. KAV, thank you for the awesome review and the chance.
    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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  6. Wow, the description of the book is so appealing, but add in your review and that puts this book way up on my future reading list. I love the triple play combination of snappy dialogue, mystery and romance!

    Thanks for the giveaway Kav!
    tracey14567@gmail.com

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    1. And it's all so well done. Rosemary can run rungs around poor Peter and it's so much fun. :-) Good luck, Tracey.

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  7. Beautiful cover! I would love to read this one. Keeping my fingers crossed!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  8. One of my fave authors!! I need to get this one. LattebooksAThotmailDOTcom

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    1. She has become one of mine as well. Good luck, Susan.

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  9. Can you believe I haven't read any of her books yet, Kav? I know, I really can't either! I am anxiously looking forward to reading this.

    Cnnamongirl at aol dot com

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    1. Oh, wow, this is the perfect place to start, Deanne! Good luck.

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  10. Don't enter me in the giveaway. I just wanted to say that I'm reading this right now and absolutely loving it! This is my first book of Roseanna's and I am really impressed by how she grabs my attention.

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    1. Thanks for sharing, Loraine. Isn`t it a magnificent story???? Enjoy every second of it!

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  11. It`s worth the anticipation, Kate. Good luck!

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  12. One of my favorite authors!!! Can't wait to read this one.

    mindyhoungATmsnDOTcom

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    1. She certainly knows how to tell a story, doesn't she? Good luck, Mindy.

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  13. oh wow this sounds so interesting and captivating. a book about books. cool. this is definitely going on my book list.
    quilting dash lady at Comcast dot net

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    1. It's a winner for sure. Good luck, Lori.

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  14. These are two characters I definitely want to meet after reading your review, Kav. Thank you!

    Dblaser(at)windstream(dot)net

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  15. Love Roseanne White-- really enjoyed Her Ladies of the Manor series. I have this one just waiting to be read. So glad to read your awesome review! Thank you!

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    1. Squeeealllll -- read it soon, Pam. It's amazing!!!!

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  16. I've been wanting to read this book since I saw the cover. The story sounds intriguing too and your review seals the deal. I must read this book! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of A Name Unknown.
    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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  17. That cover makes me want to know what she is thinking at the moment! Loved your review! Thanks for the giveaway. d[dot]brookmyer[at]yahoo[dot]com

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    1. It's such a beguiling cover, isn't it? Good luck, Donna.

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  18. Sounds good! :)

    Amada
    amada_chavezATyahooDOTcom

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  19. Just finished and reviewed for CelebrateLit tour. I loved this. Best of luck ladies.

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    1. Do you review on GoodReads too, Lucy? Isn't this such an amazing story????? Can't wait for the next book to come out.

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  20. Ooh!! Would love to be entered. I really need to read something by this author!
    pocoauthorATgmailDOTcom

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    1. Yes, you most certainly do!!! Good luck, Nicole.

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  21. Oh my! 'A Name Unknown' sounds deliciously delightful in so many ways! So excited to get reading it :) Thanks for the chance to win this book!

    nj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com

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  22. Thank you so much Kav, love your review. The sounds like a wonderful book. I can't wait to read this one!
    Blessings. Joy
    ibjoy1953 at yahoo dot com

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    1. It's not to be missed, for sure. Good luck, Joy.

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  23. Interesting and the cover is spectacular. teshawATsbcglobalDOTnet

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    1. It is, isn't it? I love cover art. Good luck, Tammie.

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  24. I've read a few of Roseanna's books and loved them, so yes I want to read this one too. becci43atgmaildotcom

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    1. I need to read more of her books for sure. Good luck, Becky.

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  25. Love Roseanna's books. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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  26. I have read/enjoyed one of her books, The Reluctant Duchess, and this new book/series is a different time span and focus, which leads up to WWI. So, that already adds to the fascination, plus there aren't very many books with a WWI time frame - there are more dealing with WWII. Thank you for the review! dixiedobie at yahoo dot com

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    1. Yes -- the WWI is an interesting angle and plays into the story really well. I'm anxious to see what the next book is about -- hoping it has Rosemary's brother as the hero!!! Good luck, CC.

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  27. I read the first two in the Ladies of the Manor series, haven't got my hands on the third one yet. This sounds like another one I definitely need to read !

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. You absolutely must read this -- love how unique it is. Good luck, Patty.

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  28. I've been looking forward to this! Thanks for the chance to win it!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  29. Just finished the last book in her previous series yesterday...
    This has the potential to be even better!
    Thanks Kav@
    Lydia

    Littlemisslydia(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. I think you might be right, Lydia. Good luck.

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  30. I'm so excited for this new series! I have all of the books from her most recent Ladies of the Manor series, but just purchased the audiobook for The Lost Heiress, because I love the narrator and her beautiful English accent. :) tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. I don't listen to many audio books -- the audible ones don't work on a laptop -- but I just got a Karen Kingsbury CD set from the library. I love being read to if the narrator is 'just right'. Good luck, Terrill.

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  31. Yes, I love Roseanna's books and can't wait to read this one! Thanks for the chance!
    LLwaltz [at] gmail [dot] com

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