 |
| GIVEAWAY |
A CONVENIENT FICTION
She needed a husband...
It's been three years since Laura Hayes's father died, leaving her and her invalid brother to subsist on the income from the family's failing perfume business. But time is swiftly running out. What she needs is a husband, and fast. A noble gentleman who can rescue them all from penury. When a mysterious stranger arrives in the village, he seems a perfect candidate. But Alex Archer is no hero. In fact, he just might be the opposite.
He wanted a fortune...
Alex has no tolerance for sentiment. He's returned to England for one reason only: to find a wealthy wife. A country-bred heiress in Surrey seems the perfect target. But somewhere between the village railway station and the manor house his mercenary plan begins to unravel. And it's all the fault of Laura Hayes -- a lady as unsuitable as she is enchanting.
From the beaches of Margate to the lavender fields of Provence, a grudging friendship slowly blossoms into something more. But when scandal threatens, can a man who has spent his entire life playing the villain, finally become a hero? Or will the lure if easy riches once again outweigh the demands of his heart?
My Review:
A Regency-esque Victorian Romance! I'm in a full tilt-a-whirl swoon over this brooding hero. His dark past has framed the way he lives his life and skewed values have him planning for a future that definitely won't fill in the gaping void in his heart. Cue the opinionated, single-minded heroine determined to save her family. The way they meet -- oh, my -- have your fans and smelling salts ready! This is one toe-curling, fainting-couch-is-a-necessity kind of read.
What I love most about this couple is that they talk to each other! There's no grand misunderstanding or talking at cross purposes that is so often the case in historical fiction. Alex and Laura have wonderful conversations about how they aren't suited. Tons of witty banter and occasional soul-stirring heart-to-hearts. But that doesn't lessen the romantical tension -- if anything, it pulls it even tauter. Because there's a silent subtext going on behind the dialogue -- a yearning hunger of heart and mind that must be ignored. Happy swoony sigh!
I listened to the audible edition narrated by Alex Wynham. True confession -- I usually don't like listening to male narrators because they get the female characters' voices wrong -- kind of a forced high pitch that seems more comedic and makes it hard for me to take the story seriously. BUT Alex Wyndham doesn't fall into that category (thankfully.) While I still prefer female narrators for my romances, I would definitely listen to another Wyndham narration.
Sidenote: While A Convenient Fiction is not a a Christian Fiction selection, it is a clean read, however there were a few instances of using the Lord's name as an exclamation -- not quite a curse, but not a prayer either.
GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:
If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Convenient Fiction leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an 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's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday June 13 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck
Another new to me author! From the beaches to the lavender fields....that sounds a nice escape. What is the latest with your library? Mine is now partially open for ten patrons at a time, using self checkout, as well as the curbside service. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOohhh -- you actually get to go into the building? My library has just started accepting returns this week -- but only at certain branches and none of them are close to me. :-( Same with curbside pick up of holds. That's starting up next week but at those same branches. I'm so disappointed. The closest library is multiple transit tranfers away from me (I don't have a car) so that kind of defeats the safe opening aspect for me. Plus I have 43 books to return and I can't lug them on a bus and a trains. lol Good luck, CC!
DeleteI've been many good things about Mimi Matthews's books, so now they are on my TBR list!
ReplyDeleteeclitton at gmail dot com
They are all true! This is my third book by her. Good luck, Elizabeth!
DeleteCan't wait to read how they meet.
ReplyDeleteturtle6422 at gmail dot com
Snicker. Good luck, Jana!
DeleteI read one book by Matthews "Holiday By Gaslight" (I think you reviewed that one as well...but anyway, I was startled with a couple of words I didn't expect to read. Kind of threw me for a loop...but I'm willing to give it one more try because I did enjoy her writing.
ReplyDeleteOur library just opened yesterday with protocols in place. They recommend masks and social distancing of course. There is also plexiglass partitions between the patrons and the check-out counter and they have a big bin to drop your returns in. They will sanitize those and keep them in quarantine for three days before placing them back on the shelf. I don't know if they are limiting patrons or not. Our county started Phase 2 re-opening on Saturday where businesses can allow up to 50 people inside (social distancing of course). The library is taking all precautions and I'm glad for it :-) It was SO nice to be able to walk into the building....even if it was eerily quiet and I was the only one there. Oh, and one of my favorite librarians is retiring :-( He was always friendly, jovial and had a smile for anyone who came in. I will miss seeing him for sure!
teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
Sometimes I feel like I'm living in the middle of one of those apocalypse novels. lol I hate seeing the way that social distancing has created distance in so many other ways as well. Like the plexiglass partions. Necessary, I know, but I wonder if we will ever be able to go back to the 'old ways' once this virus is in check. I miss being able to read facial features of people wearing masks. You can't tell if they are smiling -- can't convey any kind of connection, really, so mostly people don't look at each other any more. :-(
DeleteYes -- I did read Holiday by Gaslight. And I read the first book in this series which I didn't review here but just starred on GR so that means there was enough language in it that I wasn't comfortable offering it up as a giveaway. Definitely much less in this book. I'd love to be able to get a list of authors who are writing clean Regencies but also without taking the Lord's name in vain. Good luck, Trixi!
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteYes, I agree with you. I really hate masks for the very reason you listed, you can't see peoples expressions especially smiles. It's so impersonal anymore and I absolutely HATE not being able to hug friends or handshake new people I meet. It just bugs me anymore that we have to "avoid" touching and being close. I really hope that can relax in the near future. I also don't know how school will work this year. Since we have guardianship of our grand-girl I wonder how all this will play out in September when school will (hopefully) start again. Such a weird world we are in!
DeleteAnd...yay...I got to attend Bible study last for the first time since end of March! We have a very small congregation (maybe 35-40) on Sunday with anywhere from 8-10 on Wednesday. So nice to be in the house of God again & with my church family! But oh I hate no hugging ðŸ˜ðŸ˜· Sigh....
We've been doing our bible study on Zoom. We're a small group -- just five ladies -- and while we can now meet in small groups, one of our members is over 80 so we decided to finish off with Zoom instead of getting together.
DeleteThis weekend is the first time churches can be open but not many have figured out quite how to make it work with all the social distancing criteria. And no singing! I love worship music. My church meets in a high school auditorium and it looks like we won't be allowed back in until they open the schools again which won't be until September. :-( I've been expanding my horizons by listening to different church services online which has been quite interesting. I'm actually spending more time in church than when I used to physically go there. lol
I’ve heard so much about this author but haven’t read anything by her yet. Thanks for the opportunity.
ReplyDeletemindyhoung AT msn DOT com
You're in for a treat< Mindy! Good luck!
DeleteI love Mimi’s novels! I think I’ve read almost everything she’s written. Loved this one—someone’s in for a treat!
ReplyDeleteI can't decide which book to read next -- the second or the fourth in this series. And then I'll move on to her other ones....The Work of Art is getting rave reviews too. Hmmm...might have to try that one next. So many to choose from! Thanks for sharing, Pam.
Delete"A CONVENIENT FICTION" sounds like a wonderful story and one that I would greatly enjoy reading. I do appreciate the warning. Nothing I hate worse than being blindsided. Recently I won a book on Goodreads that was listed as romantic comedy. No hint of cursing in rating or write up whatsoever. I haven't read it and doubt if I will. Hate to get a book from someone I would normally return the favor with an honest review. However, this one started out pretty much from the first sentence with the most foul language that wasn't necessary that I could tell. Tried to get through more but it just continued and down and away it went.
ReplyDeleteLovely cover on this one too.
Thank you for the chance to win a copy!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Oh, that's so disappointing, isn't it? I'm very cautious when stepping away from Christian Fiction. I tend to gravitate to some trusted GR friend reviews before trying a secular novel. And I usually stick with getting a copy from my library rather than buying it. Luckily you didn't pay for that book, Kay! Good luck!
DeleteThis sounds amazing! I love it when a story goes against the odds and doesn't base everything on a misunderstanding. Count me in!
ReplyDeletepocoauthorATgmailDOTcom
Counted! Good luck, Nicole!
DeleteI got hooked on Mimi's books when I read The Viscount and the Vicar's Daughter. I'm looking forward to reading more of her books.
ReplyDeletepsalm103and138atgmaildotcom
I really like her books too. Good luck, Caryl.
DeleteA regency Victorian romance will be a perfect summer read!
ReplyDeletepbclark(at)netins(dot)net
Absolutely! Good luck, rubynreba!
DeleteThanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteladysnowangelphotos(at)gmail(dot)com
Good luck, LSA!
DeleteI haven’t read this author. Thank you for sharing. leliamae54(At)aol(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI really like her writing style. It's swoonalicious. Good luck, Lucy!
DeleteI enjoyed the one title from this author I've read so far and I'm looking forward to more of her books. I'm thrilled to hear that the hero and heroine talk to each other like actual adults! Misunderstandings have their place but they seem to be the norm in historical fiction and I do get tired of them. Also, I'm always a fan of a brooding hero.
ReplyDeleteecriggs1990(at)aol(dot)com
Yes, that whole communication thing is so refreshing! Good luck, Liz!
DeleteI've heard good things about Mimi Matthews, but have not had the chance to read one of her books. This sounds like a good one! Thank you!
ReplyDeletedmandres5 at gmail dot com
You will love hr books!!!! Good luck, Melissa!
DeleteI've heard some great things about Mimi Matthews writing, but have yet to read one. Thanks for sharing this one.
ReplyDeletepattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
You're welcome, Patty. Good luck!
Delete