regency romance

Choices Stories Review 4/5 Stars: Desire and Decorum Book 3

Julie Gilbert Choices Stories, regency romance ,

Summary:

You’re finally engaged to the right guy (or gal if you so choose). I’m kind of a traditionalist when it comes to these things, so I chose to go with Mr. Sinclaire. You can import choices from books 1 and 2 or go with default choices. However, if you spent diamonds in the first few books, you probably should import because then you will have the same pets and unlocked knowledge from before.

Additional Comments:

  • For about 4/5 of the book, your brother Viscount Harry is pissed off at you. Throughout the 20 chapters you can be nice to him or not so nice. I chose the high road, of course.
  • Most of this story revolves around you prepping for your wedding. Like the other wedding story (Save the Date), you can seriously upgrade the skins for the wedding if you want. I’m kind of a cheapskate so I went with the basic options for cake, etc. I broke down and bought Gus (my dog) the tux because it was adorable. Every special you unlock comes with a short scene at the wedding.
  • Dresses are a major thing you can buy in this story.
  • I was a sucker for the sweet scenes with the little boy. I won’t talk about him much to avoid spoilers.
  • Oh, I think I bought my friends their wedding gifts because it’s a right decent thing to do.
  • Your wedding to your love interest gets a tad more exciting than these things ought to, but that’s what makes these stories fun.
  • The last chapter is an epilogue. I think they left enough space open to write another book, but they tend to stick with trilogies for most of their series.

Side note: Choices stories are great, but you have to pick and chose where you spend money carefully.

Conclusion:

The Desire and Decorum series is Choices’s nod to regency romance. Though it’s not my go-to genre, I enjoyed these three tales. This one provides enough mystery and intrigue to keep the plot flowing. If I had to put them in order of most favorite to least, I guess it would go as I view most trilogies: 3, 1, 2. Book 3 wraps things up the most. 1 has some closure but they’re always angling for a sequel. 2 usually ends dark and twisty. Worth checking out.

Audiobook Promotions …

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Many of my 42 audible titles are listed on Audiobooks Unleashed.
Whether you’re looking for mystery or suspense or fantasy, I’ve got a title for you. Free codes are probably on audiobooks unleashed.
Normal links go to audible. *The Amazon labeled links are affiliate links. That means I get a very small payment from Amazon if you go through with a purchase.*
Note: Filter by US if you’re looking for those codes as many titles are out.
Ones I think may still have US codes: Reshner’s Royal Ranger, Never Again, Innova, The Golden City Captives, The Holy War, Reclaim the Darklands, Eagle Eyes, Treachery Makes it Tense, Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts, The Dark Side of Science, Ashlynn’s Dreams, Nadia’s Tears, Malia’s Miracles, and Varick’s Quest
There are plenty of UK codes, but not many US ones left.

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Mystery:

Shadow Council Combo (Books 1-4) (Amazon) (free codes)
The Individual Titles:
SC 1: Money Makes it Deadlier (Amazon) (free codes)
SC 2: Revenge Makes it Sweeter (Amazon) (free codes)
SC 3: Christmas Makes it Chaos (Amazon) (free codes)
SC 4: Treachery Makes it Tense (Amazon) (free codes)

Eagle Eyes – mystery thriller (Amazon) (free codes)
The Individual Titles:
Violence in Vegas (Eagle Eyes Book 1) (Amazon) (free codes)
Rescue in Reno (Eagle Eyes Book 2) (Amazon) (free codes)
Danger in Dallas (Eagle Eyes Book 3) (Amazon) (free codes)

There is a third series, but it’s not on audible yet.

Scratched Off – mystery, thriller; FBI agent vs serial killer, more intense than Shadow Council/Eagle Eyes (Amazon) (free codes)
Never Again (mystery, suspense)

Christian Mystery:

The Collins Case – Heartfelt Cases Book 1, Christian mystery (Amazon) (free codes)
The Kiverson Case – Heartfelt Cases Book 2, Christian mystery (Amazon) (free codes)
The Davidson Case – Heartfelt Cases Book 3, Christian mystery (Amazon) (free codes)

Choices Stories Review: 4/5 Stars Desire and Decorum 1 and 2

Julie Gilbert Choices Stories, historical, regency romance ,

Genre: Regency Romance

Summary:

I named my character Cora. It seemed to fit the innocent young woman who finds out she’s the daughter of a nobleman whose son died in a tragic accident.

Additional Comments:

  • Surprisingly fun, and I’m not even a fan of the genre. Generally, I prefer more action and adventure.
  • There are four romantic interests, but I chose to have Cora go with the one on the cover, Mr. Sinclair. I like the variety they chose. There’s a stableboy, a friend, a neighbor, and a prince.
  • In the first book, you’re working hard to prove yourself worthy of being your father’s heir.
  • The villain is truly punchable, which is great.
  • I didn’t do many of the diamond options that were just extra scenes. I do think I had the MC pick up a sword and fight the highwaymen.
  • In the second book, you’re on a clock to get married. It’s also part mystery. The diamond choices this round involve collecting certain pieces of evidence to convince the queen that your intended is a scoundrel.

Conclusion:

As far as I know, this is the only entry they have in Regency Romance. There are 3 books in the series, but I’ve not gotten to check out book 3 yet.

Audiobook Promotions …

If any of the links are broken (not sure what’s up with Audiobook Crave as of 3/7/20), please email me your interest in the book, I’ll see what codes are left.

Were on Audiobookcrave.com (which just went under). Ones with links are relisted at Audiobooksunleashed.com.
5 Steps to Surviving Chemistry
Spirit’s Bane (Guardian Angel Files Book 1)
Kindred Spirits (Guardian Angel Files Book 2)
Violence in Vegas (Eagle Eyes Book 1) – not relisted yet
Rescue in Reno (Eagle Eyes Book 2)
Danger in Dallas (Eagle Eyes Book 3)

Devya’s Children Series Links:

Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts – short stories featuring Jillian.
The Dark Side of Science – official prequel to Devya’s Children; Genetically altered kids fight for the right to live.
Ashlynn’s Dreams – Genetically altered Dream Shaper learns her gift.
Nadia’s Tears – Jillian tries to awaken her sister, Nadia, from a coma.
Malia’s Miracles – Jillian and her siblings try to save a friend’s mother.
Varick’s Quest – Jillian and Danielle get kidnapped. Nadia’s also in trouble.

Check out my other titles available on Audiobooks Unleashed:

Beyond Broken Pencils – contemporary, literary
Shadow Council Combo (Books 1-4)
The Individual titles are available but not yet listed on an ad site
SC 1: Money Makes it Deadlier
SC 2: Revenge Makes it Sweeter
SC 3: Christmas Makes it Chaos
SC 4: Treachery Makes it Tense)

Eagle Eyes – mystery thriller

Scratched Off – mystery, thriller; FBI agent vs serial killer, more intense than Shadow Council/Eagle Eyes

Awakening – Redeemer Chronicles Book 1, MG fantasy
The Holy War – Redeemer Chronicles Book 2, MG fantasy
Reclaim the Darklands – Redeemer Chronicles Book 3, MG fantasy

The Collins Case – Heartfelt Cases Book 1, Christian mystery
The Kiverson Case – Heartfelt Cases Book 2, Christian mystery
The Davidson Case – Heartfelt Cases Book 3, Christian mystery

Other titles:
5 Steps to Better Blurbs – for authors
Innova – Christian Dystopia
The Golden City Captives – short fantasy
Fatal Interest – short mystery/thriller

4/5 Pride, Prejudice, & Secrets by C.P. Odom

Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, historical, regency romance, romance , , , , ,

Narrated by Katherine Anderson

*spoilers possible in discussion

Summary:

Essentially a long sequel to Pride and Prejudice. Imagine the book didn’t wrap up and just continued for another 14 hours’ worth of material.

Additional Comments:

  • Because it’s written in the same style as Jane Austen’s work, it takes a while for me to wrap my head around the circumspect language.
  • It could have been way shorter if it focused on Darcy and Elizabeth, but it expanded into several of Darcy’s cousins. I didn’t even know the man had that many cousins. Maybe he didn’t. I don’t remember enough about the original work.
  • This is essentially well-researched, legal fanfiction.
  • It’s definitely not as fun as other spinoffs like Pride, Prejudice, and Zombies, but that’s because it took the serious road.
  • Not sure how or why Pride and Prejudice sparked so many cult-like followers, but seeing as they make a great market, this story should do well. I remember it being the least painful of the junk they made me read in high school, but I didn’t take to reading it every year or watching every iteration of it on TV.
  • Really don’t know what the Secrets part of the title referred to. More like part II.
  • Hands-down my favorite side story featured Wickham. Going into the book, I decided that unless the man got punched, the book would have royally failed me. Well, that didn’t happen, but I did enjoy the sections, (especially his chat with his new uncle.)

Conclusion:

If you’re a fan of Pride and Prejudice, and not a purist who believes the work lives and dies with the original author, you’ll probably enjoy this story.

Associate links to follow…

Available Audiobooks: I have free codes for almost everything.

New Release: Money Makes it Deadlier – a FBI agent gets caught up in a bank robbery.

The Collins Case – 2 FBI agents track down a kidnapped family. Kid friendly.

If fantasy’s more your thing, go Redeemer Chronicles. The first, Awakening, is available as an audiobook.

Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts – a kid deals with her parents’ divorce, bullies, and the wonder of discovery.

Try The Dark Side of Science – Genetically altered kids fight for the right to live.

Beyond Broken Pencils – Contemporary literary tale of a school shooting. Ian unleashes his inner demons on his classmates and teachers…

Scratched Off – FBI agent vs a serial killer. When Sam Kerman sets out to hunt a serial killer, he has no idea how personal the case will become.

Nonfiction:
5 Steps to Surviving Chemistry – A primer for chemistry students. Breaks down concepts into simple terms. 

5 Steps to Better Blurbs – A book for writers looking to improve their book descriptions

Audiobook Reviews 3.45/5: Romance at the Royal Menagerie

Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, regency romance, romance ,

I don’t own the pic… it’s the ebook cover. The audiobook cover was less than impressive.

Mild Spoilers Ahead

Summary:

Poor but lovely girl meets enchanting rich guy who’s visiting the zoo her father works at. You could probably predict the ending from the title. Francesca (Franny) Hartwell and John Fairgate are from distinctly different social classes.

 

Additional Comments:

  • I hardly ever read any sort of regency romance, but I seem to be tripping over it these last few weeks. Since my pool of the genre’s pretty limited, I can’t compare too much to others, but I can say I find the attitude shifts at the end highly suspect. (No, no, no, no … well, if it’ll make you happy, feel free to break all social conventions.)
  • Characters 3.5/5: There’s a distinct lack of a real antagonist. Cartwright’s more of an annoying gnat since John’s not interested in her at all. There would have been more tension if she had some redeeming qualities and was ever some sort of competition for his affections. Conversely, there might have been more tension if Francesca had a suitor of a suitable class or something besides almost mystical powers over large cats. While interesting, we don’t really see her help little old ladies across the street or anything. What makes her the sweet, innocent protagonist we’re supposed to root for?
  • Plot 4/5: It’s kind of hard to predict passage of time in here. The sideplot with the birth of the leopards is neat. I know the story’s not really about John and his occupation, but we don’t really see him do anything at all except visit the zoo this entire book. Also, if he’s really into birds, why doesn’t he speak more about it?
  • Cover?? I know I’m not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but there’s a reason these things matter. The ebook has a decent cover, so why does the audiobook get zip?
  • Narration was done well. There’s good variety between the characters.

 

Conclusion:

Definitely fits in the Sweet Regency Romance genre. It’s clean. It’s got some romance.

Associate links to follow…

(If you click through and buy something, there’s the chance I’ll earn like $0.04 ….)

Amazon Prime

The Collins Case – 2 FBI agents track down a kidnapped family. Kid friendly.

If fantasy’s more your thing, go Redeemer Chronicles. The first, Awakening, is available as an audiobook.

Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts – a kid deals with her parents’ divorce, bullies, and the wonder of discovery.

Try The Dark Side of Science – Genetically altered kids fight for the right to live.


OR

Audiobook Reviews 4/5: The Countess Intrigue by Wendy May Andrews, narrated by Julie Hinton

Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, regency romance, romance, women's fiction , ,

Summary:

Lady Elizabeth Castleton sneaks off to a dark corner for a private chat with Lord Justice Sinclair. They’re busted, of course. And the ninnies around them have nothing better to do than gossip, so Sinclair fibs that they’re engaged. That sets the poor girl into a tizzy because of the rumors Sinclair killed his first wife.

Additional Comments:

– If you’ve read the blurb, you have about 80% of the story.

– Elizabeth’s obsession with the rumor that Sinclair had something to do with offing his first wife go from interesting to “lady, get over it” quickly. She clings to it until about 15 minutes before the end of the audiobook.

– It would have been better if there was more of a mystery for her to solve, but that’s probably just my proclivity and preference for mysteries coming forth.

– Characters 4/5: They’re typical regency romance fodder. Daughter of a rich guy with a mother obsessed with marrying off her youngest child well. Rich guy in wont of a wife.

– Romance 4/5: Squeaky clean, as promised.

– Narration 4/5: Solid performance by a great narrator.

Conclusion:

If you’re a fan of clean romance or sweet regency romance, then this book is for you.

Associate links to follow…

(If you click through and buy something, there’s the chance I’ll earn like $0.04 … not kidding, that’s basically it.)

Amazon Prime

The Collins Case – 2 FBI agents track down a kidnapped family. Kid friendly.

If fantasy’s more your thing, go Redeemer Chronicles. The first, Awakening, is available as an audiobook.

Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts – a kid deals with her parents’ divorce, bullies, and the wonder of discovery.

Try The Dark Side of Science – Genetically altered kids fight for the right to live.


OR