Friday, October 19, 2018

Book Review and Giveaway - A Duel for Christmas




ABOUT THE BOOK:

After seven long years in Devon, Lady Maud Worlington returns to London to reclaim life on her own terms, but a nefarious shadow and the prospect of financial ruin dog her steps. An impulsive and unforgettable kiss under the mistletoe creates a connection with Geoffrey, the handsome, young Duke of Tilbury. Yet as pleasant as it is to have a suitor, Maud is not sure how a boy of one-and-twenty can prove an equal partner in life and the equal of all the forces mounted against her.

The Duke of Tilbury considers himself as adept at managing matters as he is at swordplay, but his beautiful new acquaintance Lady Worlington has other ideas about how to manage her complicated life. Intrigued by their stolen kiss, Geoffrey pursues Lady Worlington’s affections, only to be foiled by the lady’s own doubts, by rivals for her hand, and by a sudden death that affects both their families. When Jacob Pevensey, the investigator from Bow Street enters the scene, the duke becomes a prime suspect in the murder case. Truths are unearthed that Geoffrey would rather keep hidden, and the twelve days of Christmas race toward a perilous end.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rosanne E. Lortz is a writer, editor, teacher, history-lover, and mom to four boys. She loves to read, sing, draw, compose, write, and create. Education is one of her passions, particularly a classical, liberal arts education. She has taught English composition and grammar, Latin, history, music, and various other subjects for ten years at both the elementary and secondary level and is currently the Director of Academics and Admissions at Paideia Classical Christian School in Gladstone, Oregon.

Rosanne’s first book, I Serve: A Novel of the Black Prince, released in 2009. This book explores the tumultuous landscape surrounding the Hundred Years’ War and the Black Death and is a tale of arms, of death, of love, and of honor. In 2015, Rosanne began her Pevensey mysteries, novels of romantic suspense set during the British Regency (with inspiration from medieval characters and events). The first three titles are: To Wed an Heiress, The Duke’s Last Hunt, and A Duel for Christmas.

MY REVIEW:

I love books written in the Regency period and if you add a good mystery to the mix, I'm hooked. This book has this and more. This book is the third in the Pevensey Series but I was never lost as to what was going on.

The author draws you into the story slowly and introduces you to the characters in a way that you feel you know them. I love the detail she has through her writing, too, because I truly felt as though I were there with the characters living their story with them.

I enjoyed the interaction between Maud and Geoffrey. I found him to be quite entertaining and enjoyed seeing their relationship bloom.  I also liked how this was divided into the 12 days of Christmas and it s an enjoyable way to start reading for the Christmas season, although, it's a good read anytime of year.

When a character unexpectedly dies, enter the Detective Pevensey, who is quite entertaining, too. I enjoyed his part in the book and the mystery that comes with the death.

Overall, this is an enjoyable book.It's a lovely romantic mystery and I am giving it 4 out of 5 stars.

*This book was provided to me by Celebrate Lit. I received a copy of this book to review but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this book.

GUEST POST FROM ROSANNE:

The year is 1120. The place is the English Channel. A ship puts off from the French port. The passengers have been drinking, far too heavily. A submerged rock shatters the hull of the ship. The vessel goes down into the watery depths, and with it the heir to the English throne.

This incident from Medieval history was the inspiration for my Regency novel, A Duel for Christmas. Set in the early 1800s, the novel has a dash of suspense, a few tablespoons of murder mystery, and a heaping cup of sweet romance all blended together to make the perfect holiday read.

Lady Maud Worlington has just returned to London, determined to reclaim life on her own terms, but when an impulsive and unforgettable kiss creates a connection with Geoffrey, the Duke of Tilbury, she must decide if he can prove an equal partner in life and the equal of all the forces mounted against her. A watery death, financial ruin, and a nefarious shadow from the past dog their steps as the Twelve Days of Christmas race toward a perilous end.

Blessings - Julie

3 comments:

  1. Thanks for the kind review. Your blog is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for your review on "A Duel For Christmas" by Rosanne E. Lortz and for being part of the book tour.

    Sounds like a wonderful book and one that I would really love the opportunity to read.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

    ReplyDelete

Please leave me a message! I love hearing what you have to say and look forward to your comments.