A Respectable Actress

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LOVE, DOROTHY
A RESPECTABLE ACTRESS

When India Hartley is accused of murder, she must uncover the deceptions of others to save herself.

India Hartley, a famous and beautiful actress, is now alone after her father’s death and embarks upon a tour of theaters across the South. Her first stop is Savannah’s Southern Palace. On the eve of the second night’s performance, something goes horribly wrong. Her co-star, Arthur Sterling, is shot dead on stage in front of a packed house, and India is arrested and accused of the crime.

A benefactor hires Philip Sinclair, the best—and handsomest—lawyer in Savannah to defend India. A widower, Philip is struggling to reinvent his worn-out plantation on St. Simons Island. He needs to increase his income from his law practice in order to restore Indigo Point, and hardly anything will bring him more new clients than successfully defending a famous actress on a murder charge.

Because India can’t go anywhere in town without being mobbed, Philip persuades the judge handling her case to let him take her to Indigo Point until her trial date. India is charmed by the beauty of the Georgia lowcountry and is increasingly drawn to Philip. But a locked room that appears to be a shrine to Philip’s dead wife and the unsolved disappearance of a former slave girl raise troubling questions. Piecing together clues in an abandoned boat and a burned-out chapel, India discovers a trail of dark secrets that lead back to Philip, secrets that ultimately may hold the key to her freedom. If only he will believe her.

My Review:

Sheer brilliance! I love the mix of historical romance and suspense and Dorothy Love has done a superb job of blending the two.  The plot twists have plot twists and the surprises don't stop until the very end. A breathtaking tale of intrigue -- both past and present -- kept me riveted the whole read through. There are even some Gothic elements to this story. Definitely an abundance of delight for suspense lovers.

Fascinating historical details make the read all the richer -- many of them inspired by real life incidents. The author has definitely done her homework and brings history to life in a captivating way. I especially enjoyed the insights into the early days of theatre life. And for fans of courtroom dramas, A Respectable Actress has some compelling courtroom scenes.

I have to admit to being surprised to find the absence of any kind of faith thread since this book was published by Thomas Nelson. One of the reasons I read Christian Fiction is for the uplifting inspirational threads expertly woven into the stories. I find I am continuously being disappointed by this publisher in this regard. That being said, I do feel that A Respectable Actress is a captivating read though I wouldn't classify it Christian Fiction.

My thanks to Litfuse Publicity Group and the publisher for providing me with a review copy of this book.

http://litfusegroup.com/author/dlove

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  A Respectable Actress please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 1 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Among the Magnolias

GIVEAWAY

ALEXANDER, TAMERA
GRAY, SHELLEY
LOVE, DOROTHY
MUSSER, ELIZABETH
AMONG THE MAGNOLIAS

In the most turbulent decade of our nation's history, four Southern women---destinies forged by birth, hearts steeled by war---face near impossible choices on their journeys in life . . . and in love.

To Mend a Dream by Tamera Alexander
Savannah Darby would do almost anything to revisit her family home. So when new owner, Aidan Bedford, a Boston attorney and former Union soldier, seeks to redecorate the house for his fiancée, Savannah jumps at the opportunity. But the clock is ticking. Can she find the box her father supposedly hid there during the war before her assignment is completed? And before she sees yet another battle lost on the home front. This time, one of the heart.

An Outlaw's Heart by Shelley Gray
When Russell Stark returns to Fort Worth, he's determined to begin a new life. But when he arrives at his mother's homestead, he discovers she's very ill, and the woman he loved is still as beautiful and sweet as he remembered. With time running out, Russell must come to terms with both his future and his past.

A Heart So True by Dorothy Love
Abigail knows all too well what is expected of her: to marry her distant cousin Charles and take her place in society. But her heart belongs to another. A terrible incident forces Abby to choose between love and duty.

Love Beyond Limits by Elizabeth Musser
Emily has a secret: She's in love with one of the freedmen on her family's plantation. Meanwhile, another man declares his love for her. Emily realizes some things are not as they seem and secrets must be kept in order to keep those she loves safe.

My Review:

Four well-known authors join forces to create one exceptional novella collection.

A Heart So True by Dorothy Love -- A woman caught between love and duty. Righteous indignation was front and center as I read this novella. Abigail's father is...well, I don't have words. A stark look at how women were treated as commodities.

To Mend a Dream by Tamera Alexander -- Sqqqueallll!!!!! So thrilled to discover Savannah Darby's story in this collection. She captured my attention in To Win Her Favor and I was so hoping that the author would share more about this intriguing character. And voila -- here it is -- Savannah's very own story. A rags to riches tale that captured my heart.

Love Beyond Limits by Elizabeth Musser -- A difficult look at post civil war plantation life in Georgia. A mini history lesson packed with emotional depth and fragile hope. Totally captivating.

An Outlaw's Heart by Shelley Gray -- This novella has ties to A Texan's Honor and I was thrilled when I put the pieces together -- especially since I read the book three years ago! Talk about writing talent when plots and characters stick with an avid reader years later! A very special second chance love story that breathes hope for a future despite all odds.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson and Litfuse Publicity Group for supplying me with a review copy of this book.

http://litfusegroup.com/author/fairmagnolias

 

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Among the Magnolias please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday August 9 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

 

Join the authors in celebrating the release of Among the Fair Magnolias by entering to win their Southern Hearts Kindle Fire Giveaway and RSVPing to their August 13th author chat party!

The Bracelet

GIVEAWAY

LOVE, DOROTHY
THE BRACELET

The mystery surrounding Celia's home in Savannah threatens her family reputation . . . and her very life.

Celia Browning is counting the days until her childhood sweetheart Sutton Mackay returns to Savannah after two years in Jamaica looking after his family's shipping interests. She's certain he will propose marriage, thus joining two of the city's most prominent families. But just as Sutton returns, an unsavory newspaper reporter arrives in town, determined to revive interest in the secret tragedies that occurred in the Browning mansion on Madison Square when Celia was a child.

A series of mysterious notes arrives at the house, followed by an anonymous gift--a bracelet imbued with a sinister message. Is it merely a coincidence, or is someone out to harm her?

As war clouds gather over Savannah and her beloved father's health worsens, Celia determines to uncover the truth about what really happened all those years ago.

Inspired by actual events in one of Savannah's most prominent 19th-century families, "The Bracelet "combines romance, rich historical detail, and breathtaking suspense as one young woman embarks upon a dangerous quest to free herself from her family's tragic past.

My Review:

A fascinating setting and captivating time period blend together to create an unusual mystery. I found the pre-war Southern politics intriguing (though unpalatable). I have definitely read more books with the North's perspective so the historical details of this Southern time period really added to the reading experience.

The story is told exclusively from Celia's point of view which is definitely a switch from the more common hero/heroine viewpoints I'm used to reading. I found I missed that masculine POV, though, and as a result, Sutton felt more like a secondary character to me. I'll admit that is partly our fearless heroine's fault. She's so intent on protecting her family's name and solving the mystery herself she gives Sutton little opportunity to rise up to the hero challenge. And she confides in all the wrong people which set my heart into palpitations a number of times. Such an infuriating minx.

I really enjoyed the mix of history and mystery. Historical details really shone through in the suspense plot and brought an added dimension to my armchair sleuthing. 

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Bracelet please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday February 22 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!