While You Were Mine by Ann Howard Creel

While You Were Mine

by Ann Howard Creel

Ann Howard Creel is a new author for me. This story
starts on the day World War II ended. Gwen Mullen is
a nurse living in New York City. As she is trying to make
her way home from the hospital, the city is going
crazy with excitement. As much as she
would like to enjoy the party, she needs to get home.
But when she arrives, there is a stranger on her porch. 
A feeling of dread flows through her.
Seeing this stranger standing there does not feel right.

About a year ago, Gwen had a room mate that was a
new mother, struggling with postpartum depression.
Her room mate leaves Gwen high and dry with the baby.
This is a fast paced story with a lot in it. There is a lot
of history happening in the United States. Mental
illness is a big part of While You Were Mine. It's a
story of forgiveness. Finding strength inside you.
Strength to follow your heart. Follow love. Doing the
right thing even if it is so very hard.

I enjoyed this story. Ann Howard Creel put a lot of
emotion in the characters. Gave them so much life.
The place they were living as well. How real it all felt
while I was reading. I don't recall reading a romantic
story in this time period. But it surely is a story
full of love and romance. I did not want to sit the
 book down once I started it. It flies by.
It ends with a wonderful ending. I was kind of
worried for a bit that was not going to be the
case, so don't give up. Keep with it. You will
enjoy it and be glad you did.

I bought my kindle copy of
While You Were Mine from Amazon.
Review by Lisa Hutson





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.