Monday, August 7, 2017

A Lady in Disguise

GIVEAWAY
BYRD, SANDRA
A LADY IN DISGUISE

After her father's mysterious death, Miss Gillian Young takes a job as the new principal costume designer at the renowned Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Gillian remembers her father as well-respected officer of the Metropolitan Police, but she uncovers clues that suggest he led a double life.

Then Gillian meets the dashing Viscount Thomas Lockwood. Although the attraction between them is instant, a friend suggests that he was involved in her father's murder. Is Lockwood's interest in Gillian just a front for his pursuit of her newly inherited property?

Gillian is convinced her father has left behind evidence that will prove his innocence. But as her opposition becomes increasingly dangerous, it is obvious that someone wants to stop her from discovering it. With her life on the line, Gillian takes on an ingenious disguise in the role of a lifetime to reveal her father's true killer.

My Review:

Sqqqquuuueeeealllllll!!!!!!!

Just...

Sqqqquuuueallllll!!!!!!

I am still light-headed with residual Gothic Romance Glee. The first 'grown up' books that I read as a teen were classics in this genre -- Victoria Holt, Mary Stewart, Phyllis A. Whitney -- so I can't help but get a tad shy of giddy when I discover a new one and A Lady in Disguise is exquisitely perfect in absolutely every way.

Deliciously sinister evil threatens Gillian at every turn as she sifts through layers of intrigue. Danger draws ever closer as she persists in searching for the truth about her father's death. Thrilling plot twists and a host of interesting characters kept me glued to the page as I tried to discern friend from foe right along with this intrepid heroine.

And then there's Viscount Thomas Lockwood. Be. Still. My. Heart. My toes are still curled and my fainting couch has lost most of it's pouffe from all my swooning. Dashing hero with a commanding presence and an air of mystery. Need I say more? I could wax poetic all day. Especially over some of the exhilarating dialogue between Thomas and Gillian. The art of saying one thing while meaning something entirely different. The romantic tension between these two is palpable and mesmerizing to read.

But then the danger turns even more ominous as menacing evil preys upon Gillian and there comes a point when you won't be able to put this book down. In fact, A Lady in Disguise should really come with a warning:

Do not attempt to read this book on public transit. You will miss your bus and forget to get off  at the right stop which will cause you to arrive late for appointments (though you won't even care because it will give you more reading time.)

And woe be the reader who reaches a certain point in the story while riding on the bus. That happened to me so I speak with authority. My eyes welled up, I got a lump in my throat and I struggled for breath as outrage and despair consumed me.  I tried to explain away the red eyes and sniffles as allergies but my fellow passengers weren't fooled. :-)

This is the third book in the Daughters of Hampshire series. Each book reads as a standalone, so no worries if you haven't read Mist of Midnight and Bride of a Distant Isle -- but really, you want to read both of the books as well.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Lady in Disguise, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to 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 is easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday August 13 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck.

54 comments:

  1. Sandra masterfully weaves her magic in all her Gothic books. I've read all three and certainly look forward to more. And I'm laughing at your missing your bus stop because you had your nose buried in this...I can well imagine that from you!! :-D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And I agree with the swoon-worthiness when it comes to Thomas Lockwood. He deliciously wove a spell on me too....

      Delete
    2. And at one point I was parked on a bench 'waiting' for the bus but missed two because I was so absorbed. LOL I sure hope Sandra Byrd has more Gothic romances in the works. I'll be crushed if she doesn't.

      Delete
  2. Ooooh! Great review! I love when the main characters have great dialogue together. Adding this to my TBR; thanks for the giveaway!

    colorvibrant at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brilliant dialogue in this book, Heidi. My toes are curling just thinking about it. Rats, and I just got them straightened again. Good luck!

      Delete
  3. Oh, this sounds like a book to devour. I haven't read much in this genre but I'm finding a desire to read more Gothic Romance. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.

    Blessings,
    Cindy W.
    countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Honestly -- I think Gothic might be my favourite genre now. Especially if this author is writing it. Good luck, Cindy.

      Delete
  4. Well MERCY Kav, with all that squealing I MUST jump in and find out what all this is about! (Anytime you squeal, I pay attention.) Your review has me longing for a bus ride and I don't even use the bus, lol. I want in on all that great dialogue, thank you for finding all the good stuff for us!
    tracey14567 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Some books just shouldn't be read on the bus...but they are also the books that are impossible to resist reading. Sigh. A public transit reader conundrum. :-) I suppose I could have just left the book at home but where's the fun in that??? Good luck, Tracey.

      Delete
  5. Good grief! Just your squealing is enough to get me excited to try this one! LattebooksAThotmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope I didn't hurt your ears! LOL Good luck, Susan.

      Delete
  6. Sounds great, hope to get a chance to read it :)
    jslbrown2009 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love that gothic romance glee!!!!! I am definitely intrigued by this one!!! And what a great day for glee.... Today is my birthday!!!!!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ohhhhh -- happy birthday, Melanie. Definitely a gleeful day!!! Good luck.

      Delete
  8. Sounds intriguing, Kav. Count me in, please! :)

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love the time period books. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  10. Had to laugh at your review, you make this book sound so good. Lol!! becci43atgmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad my review produced laughter -- and yes, this book is stupendously good. Good luck, Becky.

      Delete
  11. I have read the first two books by Sandra and loved them. So different from the Piece De Resistance trilogy. I am eager to read this one as well! You did it again Kav! You pick books I absolutely have to read! paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I think this is the best of this series. It's just nonstop literary goodness from beginning to end. Good luck, Paula.

      Delete
  12. I swear I could read 24/7 and still not get to all the goodies I want to read. Have heard about this author for a number of years but haven't read her yet. You've convinced me now that I really need too.
    Cnnamongirl at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, definitely start with this book -- it's her best to date, I think -- and that's saying something because they are all awesome. You just have to give up sleep so you can get closer to catching up, Deanne. :-) Good luck!

      Delete
  13. oh my. This has gone on my to pick up list. I love books that I have a hard time putting down because I want to know what will be happening next. I love it when an author grabs me and holds me captive.
    quilting dash lady at Comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You will definitely love this book then, Lori. Good luck!

      Delete
  14. I have never read any of Sandra's books and would love to read this one. It sounds very intriguing. Thanks for a chance to win a copy! 😊
    gobersATembarqmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh you must try one of her books, VanG. Start with this one! Good luck.

      Delete
  15. I haven't read any of Sandra's books either. There are so many great authors out there! Hard to keep up with all of them!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hard to keep up for sure but I guess that's a kind of good dilemma to have. We'll never run out of books to read! Good luck, rubynreba.

      Delete
  16. If you'll excuse my copying the start of your review! SQUEEEEEEEAL!!!!! ;) I'VE BEEN DYING TO READ THIS BOOK! And obviously I MUST READ THIS BOOK after that review!

    Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a)
    amada_chavezATyahooDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Squuueeeaaaallll! Yes, Amada, you absolutely must read this book!!!!! Good luck.

      Delete
  17. I too grew up reading books by those great Gothic romance authors you cited. Sandra Byrd's books are worthy of being mentioned alongside them. One of the things I like most about these books is that they are told in first person. We only know what the narrator (usually the heroine)knows, so that just adds another layer of creepiness. In this book, Gillian didn't know who she could trust, so we didn't either. I loved the book (the others in this series too). I certainly hope Sandra continues to write in this genre. No need to add me to the drawing for this one since I own it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree about the first person point of view. It's not always my favourite pov but it does really work well in this genre. Like you said, we only know what the heroine knows...though sometimes I could read something that maybe she couldn't which was fun. It really pulls at your emotions, doesn't it? Thanks for adding your two cents worth, Pam.

      Delete
  18. Oh, a dear friend just let me know that this review was up, and what a delight it was. Now it's MY turn to SQUEEEE!!! Thank you, lovely Kav. I'm so glad the book made you miss your bus stop because it's always my goal to write an immersive read. <3 <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. More Squuuueeeealllling. Thanks for stopping by, Sandra. Totally adore this book -- and the whole series. And yes, you definitely met that goal!

      Delete
  19. You were very excited to read this book LOL
    Looks Great Thanks for sharing it with us.
    iamabho (@) gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm still excited over having read this book! LOL Good luck, Linda.

      Delete
    2. That's Awesome I Love to see People LOVE a Book
      Thanks

      Delete
  20. Oh my goodness! I must read this one especially after reading your review! I would have to schedule a day without appointments to read it because I'm afraid I would not want to stop reading, Thanks for your review and giveaway.d[dot]brookmyer[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, clearing your calendar is a must...or just forgo sleep one night. :-) Good luck, Donna.

      Delete
    2. I won't admit to how many nights have been no sleep-must read to find out what happens times. :-) Thanks

      Delete
  21. Oooooooooooh! Sandra Byrd! And your enthusiasm!! I want to read it. :D
    mbaaij at hetnet dot nl

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes you do want to read it! Right now!!!!! Everyone should. Good luck, Marian.

      Delete
  22. I absolutely loved the first book in this series and have the second book ready to be read. Will be adding this one as well. Thanks for the wonderful review.
    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes -- you definitely need the complete series! Good luck, Pam.

      Delete
  23. This series looks soooo good! I've had it on my to-read list for awhile now, but have never gotten the chance to read it yet.
    Elly -Indiana-

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's fantastic, Elly. Hope you get a chance to read them soon. Good luck.

      Delete
  24. I'm squealing right along with you, Kav! I loved Victoria Holt's books when I was younger and had the pleasure of reading many of them again several years ago. I've got a new trilogy on my TBR list!!

    Dblaser(at)windstream(dot)net

    ReplyDelete