Showing posts with label Grace Hitchcock. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Grace Hitchcock. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Book Review: To Catch a Coronet by Grace Hitchcock

About the Book:


Sometimes the only way to outsmart a scandal is to find a crown big enough to silence it.


Muriel Beau, country baker turned heiress, can't stop instigating outrage. She discards two arranged engagements, then further antagonizes Kent society by publicly proposing to a baron at a ball. His rejection leaves her with no choice but to flee to the city and to secure a coronet so splendid that her peers will forget her debacles. The glitter of the London courts convinces Muriel that it's possible to find the future she dreams of, until she finds herself entangled in yet another escapade—one that may cost her more than her crumbling reputation.

After years of serving as a privateer under an assumed name, Captain Erik Draycott, heir to Draycott Castle and soon to assume his uncle's title of Earl, returns to his London home to find it in disrepair thanks to his longtime nemesis. A staunch bachelor intent on returning to his ship, the captain is shocked when his mentor encourages him to take a wife. But while his alleged pauper status causes the potential London brides to turn their noses up at him, the ladies of Kent have no such qualms and are eager to fill his coffers with their fathers' wealth.

Caught in a whirlwind of high society and high seas, Muriel and Erik navigate a risky undertaking that threatens their futures and creating stakes that soar above the masts of Erik's ship. Will Muriel's bold charm and Erik's daring bravery be enough to outsmart the scandal and secure a future as glittering as the crown Muriel seeks?

My Thoughts:

With a flowing plot and likable characters, To Catch a Coronet by Grace Hitchcock was easy reading. It entertained from the start and quickly ushered me into the world of its characters. Erik’s strength, devotion, and good looks made him an ideal Regency romance hero. Muriel stared out a silly and immature but learned important lessons. Their romance made me smile. With the addition of suspense and secret identities, the plot clipped right along. This story was more average than outstanding, but it was easy to escape into this Regency Romance.

Overall, To Catch a Coronet by Grace Hitchcock was a fun diversion with the expected happy ending. It commences Grace Hitchcock’s Best Laid Plans series, and I’m open to reading subsequent novels in this series. 




Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Book Spotlight: To Catch a Coronet by Grace Hitchcock

To Catch a Coronet JustRead Takeover + Review Blitz

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for To Catch a Coronet by Grace Hitchcock hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book


To Catch a Coronet Title: To Catch a Coronet 
Series: Best Laid Plans #1 
Author: Grace Hitchcock 
Publisher: Kregel Publications 
Release Date: May 21, 2024 
Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Sometimes the only way to outsmart a scandal is to find a crown big enough to silence it

Muriel Beau, country baker turned heiress, can't stop instigating outrage. She discards two arranged engagements, then further antagonizes Kent society by publicly proposing to a baron at a ball. His rejection leaves her with no choice but to flee to the city and to secure a coronet so splendid that her peers will forget her debacles. The glitter of the London courts convinces Muriel that it's possible to find the future she dreams of, until she finds herself entangled in yet another escapade--one that may cost her more than her crumbling reputation. 

After years of serving as a privateer under an assumed name, Captain Erik Draycott, heir to Draycott Castle and soon to assume his uncle's title of Earl, returns to his London home to find it in disrepair thanks to his longtime nemesis. A staunch bachelor intent on returning to his ship, the captain is shocked when his mentor encourages him to take a wife. But while his alleged pauper status causes the potential London brides to turn their noses up at him, the ladies of Kent have no such qualms and are eager to fill his coffers with their fathers' wealth. 

Caught in a whirlwind of high society and high seas, Muriel and Erik navigate a risky undertaking that threatens their futures and creating stakes that soar above the masts of Erik's ship. Will Muriel's bold charm and Erik's daring bravery be enough to outsmart the scandal and secure a future as glittering as the crown Muriel seeks? 

"To Catch a Coronet by Grace Hitchcock is perfect Regency! This hilarious novel has it all: sparkling dialogue, a spunky heroine with a penchant for baking, and a dreamy hero who loves her in spite of her antics. I loved it and highly recommend!" --Colleen Coble, USA Today best-selling author of Fragile Designs

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop | BookBub


Excerpt


By the time her apple pie was ready to come out of the oven and her second batch of vanilla scones was ready to go in, she had a comforting sheen of sweat on her brow and her prayers had turned into singing—or rather bellowing—her favorite hymns. Wiping her hands on her apron, she worked out a recipe that she thought would be a match for the sponge she had tasted and promptly dropped during her calls this morning. She rose on her tiptoes to reach the tin marked Flour on the third shelf in the dry larder, which was acceptable if one was of an average height, but Muriel, being only an inch over five feet, could only scrape the bottom of the ten-pound tin with her fingertips. She snatched her wooden rolling pin from the table and used the tip to scoot the tin to the edge of the shelf, intending to catch it as it fell.

A man’s large, calloused hand shot above her head and seized the tin. “Allow me to assist you.”

Her song strangled itself in a gasp. Whirling, she rammed into his arm, causing the tin to slip from his grasp and the heavy pin from her hand. Both knocked him on the head, loosening the lid and showering them with flour as he fell to his knees with a grunt and then collapsed face flat onto the brick pavers.

“Lord, have mercy.” Muriel clutched her hand to her throat and sank to her knees beside the crumpled giant. Grabbing his muscular right shoulder with all her strength, she flipped the man onto his back and saw at once that his left arm was in a sling. His large, Grecian nose trickled blood from his fall to the bricks. Other than that and the lump already forming just below his thick chocolate hairline, he was in marvelous physical condition. With his impeccable jawline and the sun-kissed skin that she glimpsed beneath the flour, she knew he had enjoyed fine health before waltzing into her kitchen. She leapt to her feet and ran for the pitcher of water on the counter. Pitcher wrapped in her arm, she dipped her fingers inside and flicked water onto his flour-covered face as if he were a pie crust, continuing the practice until a fine paste had formed on his forehead and a moan escaped his full lips.

“Oh, thank God. I haven’t killed him,” she whispered, sinking onto her heels and wiping her forehead, feeling the grit of flour roll across her skin. She leaned over him, her dark hair spilling free from her coiffure over her shoulder, flowing down to his chest. “Sir? Are you hurt badly? Sir? Can you hear me?”

(pg 23-24)

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of To Catch a Coronet, a bookmark, and book-themed goodies!

To Catch a Coronet JustRead Giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight May 29, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on June 5, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours

Saturday, March 2, 2019

Book Review: The White City by Grace Hitchcock

About the Book:

While attending the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893, Winnifred Wylde believes she witnessed a woman being kidnapped. She tries to convince her father, an inspector with the Chicago police, to look into reports of mysterious disappearances around the White City. Inspector Wylde tries to dismiss her claims as exaggeration of an overactive imagination, but he eventually concedes to letting her go undercover as secretary to the man in question—if she takes her pistol for protection and Jude Thorpe, a policeman, for bodyguard.

Will she be able to expose H. H. Holmes’s illicit activity, or will Winnifred become his next victim?



My Thoughts:


I found The White City by Grace Hitchcock to be a refreshing, light read despite the serious crimes that occurred within its pages. Part mystery, part suspense, and part romance, the plot seemed equally driven between Winnifred's quest for evidence and her love life. I would have liked more character development as Winnifred's moments of immaturity annoyed me. Jude was my favorite character from his first ride with Winnifred on the Ferris wheel.

The book lover in me was delighted by Winnifred's voracious of books and Percy's secret occupation. There's some serious book love by the characters in this story and the author uses it well to inject humor and endear the novel to book lovers.

One aspect for potential readers to consider is the quiet faith that Winnie holds to as she delves deeper into her investigation. At it's strongest point, Winnie quotes Scripture to herself, but other than that, there is not much faith-based content, making it feel more like a clean read than an overtly Christian novel. 

Bottom Line: I enjoyed The White City while I was reading it, but I'm not sure I would read it again. The novel is not a heart-pounding suspense thriller, but if you're looking for a clean, entertaining story of mystery and romance, The White City might be the book for you.

The White City by Grace Hitchcock is the first novel in the True Colors series produced by Barbour Publishing.





Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.




Friday, February 22, 2019

First Line Fridays: The White City by Grace Hitchcock

Happy Friday!

First Line Fridays is hosted by Hoarding Books and participants share the first line from a nearby book.

Today I'm sharing the first lines from The White City by Grace Hitchcock:

"Winnifred Wylde concentrated on his forehead, nodding, trying to respond appropriately, but it was so difficult with his nose hair escaping and retreating into his left nostril with every breath."

This novel is a case of cover-love for me. I saw the cover and wanted the book before I even read the description. Looking forward to reading and reviewing it soon!

What are you reading this weekend? Go ahead and share the first line!

Have a great weekend! Happy reading!


About the Book:

Mysterious Disappearances Taint the Chicago World’s Fair.

Step into True Colors -- a new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime.

While attending the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893, Winnifred Wylde believes she witnessed a woman being kidnapped. She tries to convince her father, an inspector with the Chicago police, to look into reports of mysterious disappearances around the White City. Inspector Wylde tries to dismiss her claims as exaggeration of an overactive imagination, but he eventually concedes to letting her go undercover as secretary to the man in question—if she takes her pistol for protection and Jude Thorpe, a policeman, for bodyguard.

Will she be able to expose H. H. Holmes’s illicit activity, or will Winnifred become his next victim?


First Line Fridays hosted by Hoarding Books