The London Forgery (A Fabiola Bennett Mystery #1) by Heidi Eljarbo -- Blog Tour Review + Giveaway
9/27/2023
 Welcome to the Blog Tour for The London Forgery by Heidi Eljarbo, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! About the Book Title: The London Forgery Series: A Fabiola Bennett Mystery #1 Author: Heidi Eljarbo Publisher: Independently Published Release Date: August 29, 2023 Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery, Dual Timeline 1973. Art historian Fabiola Bennett sees herself as a prudently observant deer who becomes a daring and even mischievous lioness if the situation calls for it. And that’s exactly what’s required when greedy criminals steal, forge, and tamper with treasured artwork. When the crooks add murder to their list of crimes, the chaos is complete. A mysterious note is delivered anonymously at the door of the National Gallery in London, and the director immediately calls Fabiola’s office in Oslo and pleads with her to come without delay. The message is confusing, but it seems one of her favorite eighteenth-century portraits is in trouble. Fabiola hops on the first plane and meets up with her vibrant side-kick Pippa Yates and the ever-loyal Detective Inspector Cary Green from New Scotland Yard. But she is not naïve enough to think untangling the purpose and meaning of the mysterious note will be as simple as a walk in Hyde Park. These things never are. 1750. Newly married Robert and Frances Andrews, members of the landed gentry of Suffolk, England, hire young and talented Thomas Gainsborough to paint their wedding portrait. Their desire is a lovely conversation piece showing their wealth and class, an artwork to remember them by for generations to come. Little do they know the gifted artist portrays their personalities exactly how he perceives them, and the artistic symbolism is not as flattering as they’d hoped for. Even the looming clouds in the distance promise a troublesome future. This is the first book in a new dual timeline series by Heidi Eljarbo—an intriguing spin-off from the much-loved Soli Hansen Mysteries. Fans of Lucinda Riley, Rhys Bowen, Kathleen McGurl, Kate Morton, and Katherine Neville will love this cozy historical art mystery, which takes the readers back to the nostalgia of the groovy seventies and the classical Georgian era of the eighteenth century. About the Author Heidi Eljarbo is the bestselling author of historical fiction and mysteries filled with courageous and good characters that are easy to love and others you don't want to go near. Heidi grew up in a home filled with books and artwork and she never truly imagined she would do anything other than write and paint. She studied art, languages, and history, all of which have come in handy when working as an author, magazine journalist, and painter. After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She and her husband have a total of nine children, fifteen grandchildren—so far—in addition to a bouncy Wheaten Terrier. Their favorite retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summertime and ski the vast, white terrain during winter. Heidi’s favorites are family, God's beautiful nature, and the word whimsical. Connect with Heidi by visiting heidieljarbo.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates. ReviewThe London Forgery is a fast paced, edge of your seat, female detective adventure that readers will adore. A fabulous and brilliantly written historical cozy mystery, readers will love this thrilling tale with gripping twists and turns, as well as a but of dual timeline jumping between 1973 and 1849. With fascinating art history details and descriptive writing, this story comes to life with plenty of danger and schemes. Readers who also enjoy Sherlock Holms, Enola Holms, or White Collar will thoroughly enjoy this fantastic novel. Series: A Fabiola Bennett Mystery Genre: historical, cozy mystery, duel timeline Publisher: Indie Publication date: August 29, 2023 Number of pages: 227 Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, authors, and others, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR borrowed from Deseret Bookshelf, OR pre-ordered/purchased for review, including Audible. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own. Giveaway(2) winners will win a print copy of "The London Forgery", an eBook "Of Darkness and Light" and a $10 Amazon gift card!  Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 26, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 3, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. No shipping restrictions. Void where prohibited by law or logistics. Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies. Enter Giveaway Tour ScheduleFollow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!  About the Book A frontier scout, a healing widow, and a desperate fight for peace. At the farthest Georgia outpost this side of hostile Creek Territory in 1813, Jared Lockridge serves his country as a scout to redeem his father’s botched heritage. If he can help secure peace against Indians allied to the British, he can bring his betrothed to the home he’s building and open his cabinetry shop. Then he comes across a burning cabin and a traumatized woman just widowed by a fatal shot. Freed from a cruel marriage, Esther Andrews agrees to winter at the Lockridge homestead to help Jared’s pregnant sister-in-law. Lame in one foot, Esther has always known she is secondhand goods, but the gentle carpenter-turned-scout draws her heart with as much skill as he creates furniture from wood. His family’s love offers hope even as violence erupts along the frontier—and Jared’s investigation into local incidents brings danger to their doorstep. Yet how could Esther ever hope a loyal man like Jared would choose her over a fine lady? About the Author North Georgia native Denise Weimer has authored a dozen traditionally published novels and a number of novellas—historical and contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and time slip. Former managing editor for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas’ two historical imprints, she serves as Acquisitions & Editing Liaison for Wild Heart Books and as a freelance editor, helping other authors reach their publishing dreams. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise always pauses for coffee, chocolate, and old houses. ReviewA story of tragedy, hardship, and healing, author Denise Weimer has written a captivating tale along the American frontier. Weimer’s characters come to life from the turn of the first page as readers come to know their stories and easily relate to them. Readers will enjoy the backdrop of Georgia and the Creek Territory. This sweet story is action packed with plenty of danger, as well as spiritual and physical healing, and of course charming romance, that will keep readers wanting to read more. There aren’t a lot of books that discuss the war of 1812, but this is one of them. Readers will not want to miss this excellent book!
Other books in the series: 2-A Courageous Betrothal (coming November 2023) 3-A Cherished Betrothal (coming January 2023) Series: Scouts of the Georgia Frontier Genre: historical, romance Publisher: Wild Heart Books Publication date: September 5, 2023 Number of pages: 290 Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, authors, and others, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR borrowed from Deseret Bookshelf, OR pre-ordered/purchased for review, including Audible. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own. About the Book When an engagement of convenience becomes anything but convenient . . . Forced into a betrothal with a widower twice her age, Charleston socialite, Sophia Fairfield is desperate for an escape. But, while her fiancé is away on business, he assigns his handsome stepson, Carver, the task of looking after his bride-to-be. Much to her dismay, Sophia finds herself falling in love with the wrong gentleman—a man society would never allow her to marry, given Sophia was supposed to be his new stepmother. The only way to save Carver from scandal and financial ruin is to run away, leaving him and all else behind to become a Harvey Girl waitress at the Castañeda Hotel in New Mexico. Carver Ashton has had his life planned out for him since birth, but when he encounters Sophia Fairfield, he glimpses a new life—apart from his overbearing stepfather's business. But, when the woman he loves disappears before he can express his devotion, Carver abandons all to find her. However, his stepfather has other intentions for Sophia and will stop at nothing until she is his bride . . . even if it is against her will. About the Author Grace Hitchcock is the award-winning author of multiple historical novels and novellas. She holds a Masters in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in History. Grace lives in the New Orleans area with her husband, Dakota, sons, and daughter. Connect with her online at GraceHitchcock.com. ReviewReaders will adore this Harvey Girl’s rendition of The Ugly Duckling from author Grace Hitchcock. It’s about a young woman, Sophia, coming to know herself better by being determined, strong, and brave. An arranged marriage with a much older man, running away, falling in love with her supposed “step-son”, getting kidnapped, this story is filled with plenty of action with various situations and scenes. It’s also fun to get to know and see how The Harvey Girl’s operation was run. This is a fabulous historical romance that readers will thoroughly enjoy. Also, readers who enjoy the musical The Harvey Girls with Judy Garland, they will also love this story!
Series: Aprons & Veils Genre: historical, romance, Harvey Girls Publisher: Valmont House Publishers Publication date: August 29, 2023 Number of pages: 286 Content warning:romance - just kissing; mild moments of danger/peril/shooting Other books in the series: 2-The Pursuit of Miss Parish Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, authors, and others, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR borrowed from Deseret Bookshelf, OR pre-ordered/purchased for review, including Audible. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own. About the Book Left with an estate on the brink of bankruptcy after their father's death, Lady Marigold Fairfax and her brother open a private investigation firm marketed to the elite . . . to spy on the elite. Dubbed The Imposters, Ltd., their anonymous group soon becomes the go-to for the crème of society when they want answers delivered surreptitiously. But the many secrets Marigold learns about her peers pale in comparison to her shock when she and her brother are hired to investigate her best friend's father as a potential traitor. Sir Merritt Livingstone has spent a decade serving the monarch in the most elite guard, but when pneumonia lands him behind a desk in the War Office Intelligence Division just as they're creating a new secret intelligence branch, he's intent on showing his worth. He suspects a man of leaking information to Germany as tensions mount between the two countries, but needs someone to help him prove it, so he turns to The Imposters, Ltd. No one knows who they are, but their results are beyond compare. Lady Marigold is determined to discover the truth for her friend's sake, and she's more determined still to keep her heart from getting involved with this enigmatic new client . . . who can't possibly be as noble as he seems. About the Author Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com ReviewA new series from a phenomenal historical writing author, Roseanna M. White. After a bit of a slow beginning, the story does eventually take off and readers will be drawn into this pre-WWI, Edwardian, historical romance. White’s story has captivating characters entwined with plenty of mystery and suspenseful twists and turns that will keep readers at bay and wanting to keep reading. Although the romance takes a while to get to, it is worth the wait in the end to watch friendship and then romance blossom throughout the book. This story has some lively and entertaining characters as well. Another well-written and enjoy able story that readers will definitely want to pick up. Series: The Imposters Genre: historical, romance, mystery, suspense, pre-WWI, Edwardian Publisher: Bethany House Publication date: August 22, 2023 Number of pages: 363 Content warning: a little bit of mysterious and suspenseful content; just kissing Other books in the series: 2- A Knoble Scheme (coming March 2024) Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, authors, and others, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR borrowed from Deseret Bookshelf, OR pre-ordered/purchased for review, including Audible. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.  About the Book Following the death of her mother, Corinna Ormesby has lived a quiet life in the countryside with her cantankerous Cousin Agnes. Her father's identity has been a tantalizing mystery, but now at nineteen Corinna knows that finding him may be her only way to avoid marriage to the odious Mr. Beech. Deciding to head to London, Corinna dons a male disguise. Travelling alone as a young woman risks scandal and danger, but when, masquerading as a youth, she is befriended by three dashing blades, handsome and capable Alick Wolfe, dandy Ferdinand Shilton and the incorrigible Lord Purfoy, Corinna now has access to the male-only world of Regency England. And when she meets Alick's turbulent brother Darius, a betrayal of trust leads to deadly combat which only one of the brothers may survive. From gambling in gentleman’s clubs to meeting the courtesans of Covent Garden, Corinna’s country naivety soon falls away. But when she finds her father at last, learns the truth about her parentage and discovers her fortunes transformed, she must quickly decide how to reveal her true identity, while hoping that one young man in particular can see her for the beauty and Lady she really is. ❤️ A must read for Georgette Heyer, Jane Austen, and historical romance fans. ❤️ A spunky, adventurous heroine on a quest in London to find her estranged father. ❤️ An adorable dog and an endearing horse! ❤️ Three dashing blades who will make you laugh, and swoon. ❤️ A bestselling & highly rated new release. About the Author Jane Dunn is an historian and biographer and the author of seven acclaimed biographies, including Daphne du Maurier and her Sisters, and the Sunday Times and NYT bestseller, Elizabeth & Mary: Cousins, Rivals, Queens. She comes to Boldwood with her first fiction outing – a trilogy of novels set in the Regency period, the first of which, The Marriage Season, is to be published in January 2023. She lives in Berkshire with her husband, the linguist Nicholas Ostler. ReviewReaders will enjoy this story of naive 19-year-old Corinna who runs away from home and pretends to be a boy so that she can go looking for her father. Although a light fun and Regency romance, some readers who pay attention to more of the historical details may become distracted by some of the inaccuracies and broken rules of the time, including lack of chaperones, and not obtaining a proper marriage license, etc. But even with the inaccuracies, readers will enjoy the writing style, drama, and twists and turns that Dunn has written into her story. An enjoyable, quick, and light read.
Genre: historical, Regency, romance Publisher: Boldwood Books Publication date: May 22, 2023 Number of pages: 350 Content warning: a few swears Other books in the series: 1-The Marriage Season (companion novel) Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, authors, and others, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR borrowed from Deseret Bookshelf, OR pre-ordered/purchased for review, including Audible. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own. |