Book Review: Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

Title: Edenbrooke
Author: Julianne Donaldson
Series: None
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Released: March 27, 2012
Website: http://www.juliannedonaldson.blogspot.com/

Book Summary

Marianne Daventry will do anything to escape the boredom of Bath and the amorous attentions of an unwanted suitor. So when an invitation arrives from her twin sister, Cecily, to join her at a sprawling country estate, she jumps at the chance. Thinking she’ll be able to relax and enjoy her beloved English countryside while her sister snags the handsome heir of Edenbrooke, Marianne finds that even the best laid plans can go awry.

From a terrifying run-in with a highwayman to a seemingly harmless flirtation, Marianne finds herself embroiled in an unexpected adventure filled with enough romance and intrigue to keep her mind racing. Will she be able to rein in her traitorous heart, or will a mysterious stranger sweep her off her feet? Fate had something other than a relaxing summer in mind when it sent Marianne to Edenbrooke.

Being the clean romance, Jane Austen lover that I am I LOVED Edenbrooke.

What a fabulous way to spend a morning.  Edenbrooke was a book I couldn't put down.  I picked it up to read just a few pages before getting out of bed but didn't quit reading until I finished the book. While there may never be another Mr. Darcy it is possible that his twin is found roaming the grounds of Edenbrooke.

Squeaky clean, full of romance, humor and great characters this is a book I highly recommend.  Perfect for lovers of Jane Austen era romances.

Rating: 5 Stars - I loved it!

Content: Clean

Source: From Publisher

Add Edenbrooke to your goodreads shelf: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12820360-edenbrooke

Book Review: Jacob T. Marley by R. William Bennett

Title: Jacob T. Marley
Author: R. William Bennett
Series: None
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Released: October 12, 2011
Author's Website: http://www.rwilliambennett.com/


Book Summary:

Marley was dead to begin with . . . These chillingly familiar words begin the classic Christmas tale of remorse and redemption in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Now R. William Bennett rewinds the story and focuses the spotlight on Scrooge's miserly business partner, Jacob T. Marley, who was allowed to return as a ghost to warn Scrooge away from his ill-fated path. Why was Marley allowed to return? And why hadn t he been given the same chance as Ebenezer Scrooge? Or had he? Written with a voice reminiscent of Dickens, Jacob T. Marley is to A Christmas Carol as the world-famous Wicked is to The Wizard of Oz as this masterfully crafted story teaches of choices, consequences, and of the power of accountability. It is sure to become a Christmas favorite.

Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol is a story I have always loved. I've seen multiple movie versions of A Christmas Carol all multiple times and remember seeing the play at Glendale Centre Theater many times while growing up. Due to my love of this story I was interested to read this retelling from Jacob Marley's perspective.

This was a quick easy read that I knocked out in about two hours. I found it interesting to delve deeper into what might have made Ebenezer Scrooge the man he was. Jacob Marley plays a small part in A Christmas Carol but in this version we see how he influenced Scrooge for the worse and is now paying the price for his deeds. Marley is able to interact with the three spirits who visit Scrooge giving us more detail of the event.

Recommended to lovers of A Christmas Carol and Charles Dickens. This was meant to be my holiday read but worked just as well as a New Years read. The story could easily be enjoyed year round as it contains a wonderful message about helping others and second chances.

Rating: 4.5 Stars - Highly Recommend

Content: Clean

Source: From Publisher for Review

Also by R. William Bennett: The Christmas Gift