Exclusive Pre-Order Offer for Manda Collins--A Lady's Guide to Mischief

Exclusive Pre-Order Offer from The Haunted Book Shop!

The Haunted Book Shop in Mobile, AL has been a big supporter of Manda's books and will be the only store with signed bookplates for this release. Anyone who pre-orders A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Mayhem from the store—either via the website or locally—will receive a signed bookplate with their order. Pre-orders will also include access to special bonus content from Manda—the Lady’s Guide newspaper columns from the novel.

The Haunted Book Shop is on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Access to Bonus Content with Pre-Order Offer!!

For readers who prefer to shop somewhere other than The Haunted Book Shop, you’ll also be able to read the bonus content from Manda. Any format is OK—print, ebook, or audiobook—from any store. Just fill out the form on our website, snap a photo of your receipt and submit it.

The Details!

Both pre-order offers are live and will run until 11:59 PM ET on November 9, 2020. All the information is online at The Haunted Book Shop and on Forever’s website.

The Book Blurb!

England, 1865: Newspaper columnist Lady Katherine Bascomb finds herself the subject of speculation when her latest article leads to an arrest in the murders plaguing London.

The English believe women ought not to write about such vulgar things as crime, and a particularly attractive detective inspector is incensed that she’s interfered with his investigation. To escape her sudden notoriety, Katherine heads to the country-only to witness a murder upon her arrival.

Detective Inspector Andrew Eversham is appalled when Lady Katherine entangles herself in one of his cases-again. Her sensationalist reporting already nearly got him kicked off the police force, and he’ll be damned if he permits her to meddle a second time. Yet, her questions are awfully insightful, and he can’t deny his attraction to both her beauty and brains. As the clues point to a dangerous criminal, the two soon realize their best option is working together. But with their focus on the killer lurking in the shadows, neither is prepared for the other risk the case poses-to their hearts.

Susan's Review of Home for the Holidays by Sara Richardson

The Buchanan sisters all share special childhood memories of their Aunt Sassy's beloved Juniper Inn. There, they frolicked in the snow, baked sugar cookies, and celebrated the town's annual Christmas extravaganza. They haven't been back to Colorado in nearly fifteen years, but when their aunt invites them for one last Christmas, they can't say no . . .

Home for the Holidays is my first Christmas -themed read of the season. Words can’t express how much I enjoyed this heartwarming, magical story set in Juniper Springs!

Sara Richardson’s descriptive writing style drew me into the story immediately. Sisters Dahlia, Magnolia and Rose Buchanan receive a package and an invitation from their Aunt Sassy to spend one last Christmas together. I enjoyed reading how each sister treasured the Christmas holidays in Juniper Springs and that the invitation arrived when the sisters needed each other’s strength and support.

Each one of the Buchanan sisters needs a bit of Christmas magic. Dahlia is newly divorced mother of two young children. She needs to regain her self-confidence and embrace her future. Magnolia is newly separated and desperately needs a Christmas miracle. Rose is struggling. She is overwhelmed with wedding planning, social obligations and everyone’s expectations of her.

I enjoyed that the author chose the alternating point of view narrative in this novel. I was able to appreciate each sister’s unique situation, their emotions and perspective. Sara Richardson has created three distinctive stories for the Buchanan sisters. The conversations between Dahlia, Magnolia and Rose are honest, heartfelt and humorous. The bond between sisters is one of the key pieces in the storyline- Sisters may not live near each other but they are always there for each other- and the author does a fabulous job weaving this element throughout the book.

The author adds the right amount of magic and romance to create a wonderful holiday read. I enjoyed this novel and can’t wait to read Sara Richardson’s next book!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman 

ARC provided by the publisher

Susan's Review of The Highlanders Excellent Adventure by Shana Galen

Just because they've run away...

Ines Neves and Emmeline Wellesley have both run away. Ines hid in a carriage from a tedious suitor, only to find, too late, the carriage had traveled out of London, not just around the block. To make matters worse, the carriage is that of a stranger: a handsome Highlander. Or perhaps a big, strapping Highlander makes matters better? Emmeline Wellesley has had four Seasons and cannot tolerate another. To force her mother to listen to her, she's run away. But things haven't gone well. She's been locked in a closet, had all her money stolen, and somehow adopted a dog. When an old family friend shows up to save her, she doesn't exactly welcome his help.

Doesn't mean they don't want to be found...

Duncan Murray doesn't know what to make of the Portuguese-speaking woman in his carriage. She refuses to return to London, so he takes her to meet Nash Pope, a so-called friend who speaks Portuguese. On the way, he meets up with former soldier Stratford Fortescue and Stratford's opinionated distant cousin, Miss Wellesley. The four travel together to Nash's estate, and that's when everything goes really wrong. On the run to Scotland, Duncan finds himself increasingly attracted to Ines, even though he knows he can never marry her. Stratford has always wanted Emmeline, but his family secret means he doesn't deserve her. This excellent adventure might bring the couples together, but only if they manage to elude gun shots, a murderous brother-in-law, a vicious dog, and outlaws!

Passion! Excitement! Danger!

These three words describe the feel of Shana Galen’s The Highlander’s Excellent Adventure.

I loved Ines, Duncan, Emmeline and Stratford and enjoyed that the novel was told from each character’s point of view. This was an excellent storyline choice because it enabled to reader to understand each character’s perspective and emotions.

Ines Neves desires passion, excitement and danger—and she knows she will not find it with the men her sister and brother- in -law have selected for her. Ines wants to choose her husband and make her own decisions. She has a secret crush on Duncan Murray who exudes passion, excitement and danger! Ines hides in a carriage to avoid a suitor and imagine her surprise when she wakes up in Duncan’s coach!

Emmeline is tired of London and dreads another season. She decides to run away to a relative’s house and Stratford is determined to find her. Their adventure begins Stratford finds her locked in a closet! Loved that Emmeline and Stratford harbored feelings for each other for years. Both were insecure—in different ways-and I loved their journey it really tugged at my heartstrings.

Shana Galen’s fast paced writing style and captivating characters drew me into the story immediately. This adventure is filled with humor, romance and the chemistry between each of the couples sizzles. Loved there were so many twists and turns – I was immersed in the story and had the sense that danger was lurking around each corner.

I recommend The Highlander’s Excellent Adventure – it’s an enjoyable novel filled with romance, danger and emotion. 

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by author

Book purchased through Amazon

Shana Galen is the bestselling author of fast-paced adventurous Regency historicals, including the RT Reviewers' Choice The Making of a Gentleman. Booklist says, "Galen expertly entwines espionage-flavored intrigue with sizzling passion," and RT Bookreviews calls her "a grand mistress of the action/adventure subgenre." She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston's inner city. Now she writes full time. She's happily married and has a daughter who is most definitely a romance heroine in the making!