Secrets of a Soprano by Miranda Neville.

"Is there anyone in particular you'd like to meet?" Tessa tossed down her glass of champagne in a single gulp to give her courage. While she was here she might as well take care of some business. 

"Pray present me to Lord Allerton," she requested, Anything to avoid Max Hawthorne, who, out of the corner of her eye, she could see in conversation with the Marquess of Somerville and another gentleman.

 Jacobin stopped behind Max and tapped on his black-clad shoulder. "Excuse me for interrupting," she said. 'please allow me to present you to my cousin, Signora Foscari. Tessa, this is Lord Allerton.'

Tessa wasn't sure how she managed to retain enough self-assurance to curtsey. Only years of experience in the public arena prevented her from gaping like an idiot at the discovery that the enormously wealthy impresario of London's new opera house was also her former love. Panic seized her throat and she doubted she was capable of uttering a single word. 

Apparently, he was not so affected. He looked down at her with maddening self assurance. '

"Mrs. Foscari and I have met." he said in a voice that would freeze morning chocolate.

Miranda Neville’s Secrets of a Soprano is a fabulous second chance romance. Opera singer Teresa “Tessa” Foscari and Lord Allerton, Max Hawthorne, fell in love eleven years ago in Portugal. Unbeknownst to the couple, Max’s mother Lady Clarissa initiated the misunderstanding that caused the couple to separate. Max believes that Tessa was after his inheritance and Tessa has not been able to forgive Max for leaving her waiting for him at the churchyard for hours.

The misunderstanding was the catalyst in Tessa’s decision to pursue her career as an opera singer and to marry Domenico Foscari, her manager. Ms. Neville has created a superb villain in the character of Domenico Foscari. Even though Domenico has died, his presence is felt throughout the entire novel. I loved that Ms. Neville had Domenico create Tessa’s persona of La Divina, the mysterious, perfectly costumed opera star who wore a diamond necklace that was rumored to be a gift from the Tsar. La Divina was known for throwing china when she was angry and it was assumed by all that she was loved by her husband and very wealthy.

Penniless, Tessa has travelled to London to sing at the Tavistock Opera. She meets Max, now known as Lord Allerton, at a society gathering. Max insults Tessa who becomes upset and throws a goblet of wine at him which splatters all over his suit. Everyone witnesses the argument. The characters of Tessa and Max resonated with me. I appreciated that Tessa knew she had to work to support herself and to become her own person; not the character that her late husband created. Tessa made a poor choice when she married her husband. He was a good manger, not a loyal husband. There was no love or respect in their marriage. Tessa understands that she needs to work to stay on top of her financial situation. She makes several questionable choices as she learns how to manage her career and provide for her employees.

Max’s interest in all things opera intensified after his relationship with Tessa ended. He travelled abroad and visited many opera theaters before he built his own opera house in London, the Regent. Tessa’s sold out performances at the rival Tavistock theater have impacted Max’s theater in a negative way. Another misunderstanding between the couple impacts Tessa financially. Ms. Neville is known for writing excellent dialogue and the scenes between Max and Tessa sizzle off the pages in this novel. Even after eleven years, their attraction is very powerful and the author does a fabulous job with pacing of the couple’s relationship.

Loved that the novel took place in London and that most of the plot revolved around the Tavistock and the Regent opera houses. The competition between the theaters was intense and I loved that Tessa and Max worked for rival theaters. This element worked well within the storyline. The secondary characters are well -defined and add to the plotline. Loved Lady Clarissa and Simon Lindo and their relationship with Max. Secrets of a Soprano is an engaging novel that has several unexpected plot twists. Max and Tessa’s romance captivated me and I wondered if they could forgive each other’s past mistakes.

The ending of the novel was perfect---Kudos to Miranda Neville for another fabulous novel!

Reviewed by: Susan Gorman

Edited by: Jennifer McGee

ARC provided by the author.

Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

Because of Miss Bridgerton

by Julia Quinn

It's been a while since I read a Bridgerton

story. I have loved them all though.

But good golly, this one is fabulous!!

We all come to a time in our life when we realize

that the world does not circle around us. That we are

not in charge of everything and everyone. Usually we 

start getting that in our teens. 

But some of us take a little longer.

Sybilla Bridgerton has always felt that she is different

from other females. As though she doesn't fit in anywhere.

Thing is, she doesn't realize that everyone feels that way.
But Billie handled it a little different than most. She

jumped fences and wore britches. She climbed trees and

rescues cats. Billie is certain that she will never marry. She

will never find a man that she could tolerate. And deep

down, she is very insecure.

The Rokesby family has lived next door to the Bridgertons

forever. The children have grown up in each others pockets.

George being the oldest child and heir, missed out on much

of the fun growing up. He watched his brothers dash off on

adventures. Defending king and country. While his responsibility

was to guard the homeland as much as possible. While George

has always been envious of his brothers, he is now realizing that

his job is important too. Now, he must marry and produce the

next generation.

 While it was always taken for granted that Billie would marry one

of the Rokesby sons, no one, absolutely no one (well, maybe one

someone, mothers know these things, don't they?), thought it

would be George. Billie and George have always been like

oil and water. It would be Edward or Andrew that she would

marry. She always felt that one is as good as the other.

The story takes up when Billie and George are both at a turning
point in their lives. There is a family crisis. Since the Bridgertons
and the Rokesbys have always considered each other family, 
everyone circles around to help. Billie begins to feel like her
life is lacking. Perhaps helping on the estate and leading her
life with little concern for anyone else isn't perfect anymore. George
is noticing that maybe his father needs more and more help with
business. It's time for George to find a wife.

Billie is not sure at all that any man will want her. How will the
estate continue if she does find a man and marry? George wishes
to have a less stiff and formal life. But where will he find a wife
that will be happy with that sort of life?
They are both confused and wondering where oh where
did these feelings for each other come from? There is
something very wrong when they are being drawn to each other.

I absolutely loved this story. I did not want to sit it down.
Billie and George are fabulously done. I loved the rest of the
families as well. The guests fit perfectly with these neighbors
that are so familiar with each other. I especially loved 
Chapter 24. It does not go as most stories like this do. It did
surprise me in a pleasant way.
Very well done, Julia Quinn. Now I am ready to get on
with the next Bridgerton story.
Review by Lisa Hutson
I bought my kindle copy from Amazon.



Samantha Chase’s Love Walks In | Spotlight

The Shaughnessy Brothers are back!

He lives by a schedule

Aubrey Burke is on the run from an about-to-be-disastrous mistake when resort owner Hugh Shaughnessy catches her climbing through his office window. Until Aubrey tumbled into his life, Hugh had relied on work and discipline to safeguard a heart damaged by family tragedy. Now his careful world will never be the same.

She lives for the moment

Hugh’s approach to life and love is the opposite of Aubrey’s, but she soon finds herself falling hard for the handsome hotel mogul. There’s a darker reason behind her “live for today” attitude than Hugh could possibly know, but for the first time Aubrey dares to hope this man’s love might make it worth taking a chance on the future.

Samantha Chase, a creative writing teacher, released her debut novel, Jordan’s Return, in November 2011. Since then, she has published seventeen more titles and has become a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She lives with her husband of twenty-four years and their two sons in North Carolina. http://www.chasing-romance.com/

Love Walks In Buy Links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble| iBooks| Kobo| Google| IndieBound

Rafflecopter Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Aubrey was curled up in bed with the TV remote, flipping through the channels, trying to find something to watch. Honestly, with hundreds of channels, it shouldn’t be this hard, she thought.

It was late for her. The eleven o’clock news was over and all of the late-night talk shows were starting up. It had been so long since she’d watched any of them, she wasn’t sure which channel to go to or what she’d find.

“Maybe I should read,” she muttered, looking around for her Kindle. She was a one-click addict—there had to be something on there to pique her interest. Shutting off the TV and reaching for the nightstand drawer, she let out a squeak of surprise when the phone rang. A slow smile crept across her face when she saw Hugh’s name on the screen.

“Hey,” she said softly, relaxing back onto her pillows.

“I didn’t wake you, did I?” Hugh asked.

“Nope. I was just sitting here trying to figure out what to do with myself. It was a toss-up between late-night TV and a book.”

“Book. Always go for the book. You’ll sleep better.”

She chuckled. “I’m not too sure about that. I found I sleep better when you’re next to me. And we didn’t read a single word.”

He groaned. “You’re killing me.”

“Okay, sorry,” she said. “So tell me how your first day at home was. Did you get to have dinner with everyone?”

“Oh…yeah,” he said sourly, and Aubrey knew something was up.

“Out with it, Shaughnessy. What’s going on?”

He told her about his father’s plans for the house and why he wasn’t particularly thrilled about it. “What about your brothers? Do they feel the same?”

“Hell no. They spent a good portion of the night telling me why I was wrong.”

She could hear the pout in his voice and her heart went out to him. “I’m so sorry. What can I do? Do you want to come here for a few days?”

“I do…but if I leave it’s just going to give them more ammunition.”

“You’re entitled to feel the way you feel, Hugh. They don’t have to agree with it or even like it, but you don’t have to change for them. Chances are they do things you don’t like or agree with. Right?”

He sighed. “What’s your point?” There was no animosity in his tone, only curiosity.

“Just because they think or do things differently than you, do you love them any less?”

“Well…no.”

“So don’t let this bother you. You’re probably the only one still thinking about it. Take this time to enjoy your visit with your father and your brothers. If they give you grief about it, just shake it off.”

“Easier said than done. And you should know that. Weren’t you on the receiving end of family grief only a week ago?”

Aubrey was quiet for a moment. “That’s different, Hugh. Your brothers aren’t being mean to you or belittling you for the sake of being cruel. They’re probably doing it more out of good old-fashioned sibling teasing.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry.”

It still stung. “So,” she began cheerily, “what are your plans? Anything exciting?”

He outlined his plans to help his dad with the yard work, to see his brother Aiden’s house, and to look at some property for a potential new resort.

“Sounds like you’re going to have a lot to do.”

“I suppose.”

There was that tone again. “Hugh? Come on. There’s something wrong. I can hear it in your voice.”

He was silent for a long moment, and just when Aubrey thought she’d have to prompt him, he said, “I miss you.”

Her heart melted at his words. “You just saw me this morning,” she said quietly.

“I know, but this last week we’ve been around each other all the time. And now…now I wish you were here with me.”

Samantha Chase’s Love Walks In is a wonderful opposites attract romance. Runaway bride Aubrey Burke climbs into hotel owner Hugh Shaughnessy’s window and into his heart. The characters and their stories drew me into this flawlessly written story which centers on the subjects of forgiveness, second chances and family ties. 

Each member of the Shaughnessy family has dealt with the loss of their mother during the past 17 years. Love Walks In provides insight into Hugh’s struggle with his perceived role in the tragedy. Hugh is a by-the-book, detail oriented person. He sticks to his work schedule and thrives on routine. At first, I wasn’t sure if I could relate to the character of Hugh. He helped Aubrey escape from her fiancé but I felt that he didn’t feel for her situation until he heard her crying on his deck. Hugh understood that Aubrey needed someone to comfort and support her, not judge her. This simple, well-crafted scene sets both the stage and the tone for the couple’s romance. 

Aubrey reminded me of a caged bird. She longed to escape from her disapproving, controlling parents. Aubrey sees life as an adventure, she wants to try new things and travel. Hugh and Aubrey get to know each other as they work on a major wine campaign for the resort. The author does a fabulous job with the careful pacing of the couple’s romance. The progression from friends to lovers works perfectly in this novel. Travelling for the campaign puts Hugh and Aubrey in close contact; they work together, eat together and confide in each other. 

Samantha Chase has the ability to write honest, emotional dialogue for her characters which enables the reader to closely identify with them. I loved the from- the-heart conversations between Hugh and Aubrey and the humorous back and forth banter between Hugh and his family. 

Love Walks In amazed me because it’s so much more than an opposites attract romance. The author mixes the right amount of humor, drama and family in this contemporary novel. Hugh and Aubrey’s story resonated with me. The conclusion and the epilogue were perfect for this couple—the last few chapters were fabulously written and full of surprises!

Reviewed By Susan Gorman

Edited By Brian McGee 

ARC provided by Sourcebooks