Review + Giveaway: "A Seaside Summer" by Josi S. Kilpack, Martha Keyes, & Heather B. Moore

It may be September, but here in Nebraska it sure feels like summer (and I guess that technically it still is ...), so why not relax with a nice summery novella collection?

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Summer on the seaside . . . a perfect place for romance.

Join us for three novellas in one collection:

The New Countess by Josi S. Kilpack

Diane knows why the earl asked her to marry him; he needed a mother for his daughter, an heir for his title, and a hostess to assist with his position in Parliament. With two sons of her own, and no security to speak of, she never thought twice about accepting his proposal. Summering at his holiday cottage at the sea was meant to be reward for a busy first year as the new countess, and a time for her to rest before their baby is born. She is expecting lazy days on the beach with the children, simple meals, and keeping her own schedule. When the earl surprises her with a visit, she does her best not to resent the intrusion. When she learns that he came for the sole purpose of being with her and getting to know her better, she realizes that perhaps this marriage can be more than she expected. Is she ready for him to know her and love her and explore this new possibility together? She wants to be, but it is not an easy thing to let go of expectations and open up to an entirely new way of life.

Mishaps and Memories by Martha Keyes

Judith Jardine’s one chance at a brilliant match is doomed from the start when she is ignored and then mocked by the ton’s most sought-after gentleman. Under a gloomy cloud of failure, Judith is exiled to a seaside cottage to spend the summer helping her sister—and living a life far below the one she experienced for her week in Brighton. When she discovers the man responsible for her misfortune unconscious on the beach, she heeds her better impulses and has him brought to the cottage to be seen to. But James Carlisle has no recollection of who he is, what happened to him, or how he has wronged her, and Judith sees the opportunity to teach him a valuable lesson—unless the deception and her feelings get the best of her first.

Moonlight Summer by Heather B. Moore

Oscar Rosewell’s life is not lacking in many things even though he lives on the fringes of society due to his father’s ruined reputation. He’s sworn off having any personal relationships with ton members—his only interest lies in keeping his business thriving. He’s content with his day-to-day anonymity, and business keeps his heart from getting exposed. It’s safer that way. Until Oscar meets Miss Dorothea Atkinson. A woman capturing his interest is a rare thing, but Miss Atkinson is nearly engaged to a man of her parents’ choosing. Would it be wrong to wish for something to go terribly wrong between the couple? Soon, Oscar learns that wishing can become a reality, but often, the price is an even heavier thing to pay.

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What a delightful novella collection! While I've seen other books in the Timeless Regency Collection (and I think I even have a couple on my Kindle), A Seaside Summer is the first that I've read. If this is any indication of the quality of the series, then I think I have some serious catching up to do!

Each novella is unique, and each is quite enjoyable. I read the book in three sittings - one novella at a time. It was a great way to pass a few car rides! All of the stories had unique aspects to them; they weren't cookie cutter romances. I think fans of Regency romance will really like this book. 4 stars for the collection. (Keep reading for my thoughts on the individual novellas.)

The New Countess

This had one of the most unique story lines I've seen among clean historical fiction. It's all about a couple who married for convenience falling in love, but the difference here is that they already have a physical relationship when the story begins. Usually in this type of story, the physical relationship comes later -- but I've always thought that often rang a little false, as many times the whole point of these marriages was to produce an heir. Diane is already pregnant at the beginning of The New Countess -- but she certainly doesn't love, or even really know, her husband. When Michael arrives unexpectedly during Diane's seaside vacation with her boys and Michael's daughter, she is annoyed ... but as the two learn to communicate, they also find themselves drawn to each other. I really enjoyed this twist on the marriage of convenience trope. 4 stars.

Mishaps and Memories

Mishaps and Memories is basically the movie Overboard set in Regency England. It's so incredibly fun! If you've seen Overboard, you'll find plenty of parallels here - and if you haven't, you'll still enjoy the ride. (One important difference is that Judith doesn't intend to deceive James in the long term; while she shouldn't have lied to him in the first place, she has a good reason for not coming clean quickly.) This is fluffy and fun - a perfect beach read! 4-1/2 stars.

Moonlight Summer

The first chapter of this novella absolutely did not hook me, and I was afraid I would struggle to get through it. How wrong I was! Though it was definitely a slower starter for me, there's a delightful mystery regarding Oscar's and Dottie's families that kept me guessing. Overall, a nice read. 4 stars.

Buy the book: AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

Read my review of Kilpack's Rakes & Roses (4 stars).

Follow the blog tour:

Join the virtual book tour of A SEASIDE SUMMER, a collection of novellas by bestselling authors Josi S. Kilpack, Martha Keyes, and Heather B. Moore, August 23-September 19, 2021. Over twenty-five popular on-line influencers specializing in Regency romance, historical romance, and inspirational fiction will join in the celebration of the release of the 17th book in the bestselling Timeless Regency Romance Collection with a spotlights, exclusive excerpts, and reviews of this new anthology set in Regency England.

TOUR SCHEDULE
Aug 23 Austenprose (Review)
Aug 24 My Jane Austen Book Club (Excerpt)
Aug 24 Getting Your Read On (Review)
Aug 25 The Bibliophile Files (Review)
Aug 26 Heidi Reads (Review)
Aug 27 Our Book Confessions (Review)
Aug 30 The Lit Bitch (Spotlight)
Aug 30 Wishful Endings (Review)
Sept 01 The Book Diva Reads (Spotlight)
Sept 01 Rosanne E. Lortz (Review)
Sept 02 Laura's Reviews (Review)
Sept 04 Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen (Excerpt)
Sept 07 Probably at the Library (Review)
Sept 08 Gwendalyn's Books (Review)
Sept 09 Books and Socks Rock (Spotlight)
Sept 10 Christian Chick's Thoughts (Review)
Sept 11 Storeybook Reviews (Excerpt)
Sept 13 From Pemberley to Milton (Review)
Sept 13 My Bookish Bliss (Review)
Sept 14 Bookworm Lisa (Review)
Sept 15 Relz Reviewz (Spotlight)
Sept 15 Reading with Emily (Review)
Sept 16 Lu Reviews Books (Review)
Sept 17 Greenish Bookshelf (Spotlight)
Sept 17 Austenesque Reviews (Review)
Sept 17 Bringing Up Books (Review)
Sept 18 Book Confessions of an Ex-Ballerina (Review)
Sept 19 Eli's Novel Reviews (Review)

GIVEAWAY

Mirror Press is pleased to offer one digital copy of any of the 16 previous books in the Timeless Regency Romance Collection to one unique winner at each stop on the tour. 

To qualify, please leave a comment with this blog post before 11:59 pm, September 26, 2021. Visit each stop on the tour and leave a comment to increase your chance to win a book. 

This contest is open internationally. The winner will be drawn randomly from the comments and announced on each blog on September 27, 2021. The winner must claim their prize before October 04, 2021. Good luck to all!

The giveaway is now closed. You can find the winner announcement here.

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ABOUT THE SERIES

Since 2015, Mirror Press has been presenting the Timeless Regency Romance Collection, a curated anthology of novellas and short stories set in early 19th century England. Featuring bestselling authors from the historical romance genre, the series has hit the USA TODAY bestselling list and charted at #1 at Amazon.com. In October the Timeless Regency Romance Collection will present its 18th anthology, The Inns of Devonshire, including stories by Sally Britton, Annette Lyon, and Deborah M. Hathaway. Learn more about the series and other anthologies published by Mirror Press at their website.

AUTHOR BIOS

Josi S. Kilpack is the bestselling author of several Proper Romance, Timeless Romance series, and a Cozy Culinary Mystery series. Her books, A Heart Revealed and Lord Fenton's Folly; were Publishers Weekly Best Romance Books of the Year. She and her husband, Lee, are the parents of four children

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Martha Keyes is a Whitney Award winning author born, raised, and educated in Utah—a home she loves dearly but also dearly loves to escape whenever she can by traveling the world. She received a BA in French Studies and a Master of Public Health, both from Brigham Young University.

Word crafting has always fascinated her, but it wasn’t until a few years ago that she considered writing her own stories. When she isn’t writing, she is honing her photography skills, looking for travel deals, and spending time with her family. She lives with her husband and twin boys in Vineyard, Utah.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

Heather B. Moore is a USA Today bestseller and award-winning author of more than seventy publications. She's lived on both the east and west coasts of the United States, including Hawaii, and attended school abroad including the Cairo American College in Egypt, and the Anglican School of Jerusalem in Israel. She loves to learn about anything in history and, as an author, is passionate about historical research.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."