February Grace

Keigan is a pageboy at the college library, living a normal life with very little excitement. He is sent on an errand to pick up a book donation at an elderly gentleman’s house. One book that is donated looks extremely rare and unique; and the story that comes with it is even wilder. Keigan is told that the book has the ability to transport him back in time from the historical replica train station in town to the original Wishing Cross Station. Furthermore, Keigan is given very specific show more instructions and told that he should be the one to return the book back to its original time and close the time travel wormhole for good. This is easier said than done when Keigan accomplishes going back in time and discovers the mysteries of the Aurelia Belle and one very charming resident of Wishing Cross.
A quick and interesting journey back in time to a charming town. I really liked the idea of a train and train station being the medium for time travel. Although, how the time travel actually happens was never quite explained. It seems that no one really figured it out within the book either, which drove the decision to try and close the wormhole. I did like that everyone was very cautious of the time travel train and knew that it was inherently dangerous. Keigan is believable as a reluctant time traveler. He is wary of interfering with the time line and does everything possible to fit in. Even though, Keigan fails at not interfering just a bit when he meets the stationmasters daughter, Marigold, who holds the key to the mysteries of Wishing Cross past and present. Overall, Wishing Cross Station was a cute time travel novella, but with a slightly heartbreaking ending.

This book was provided for free in return for an honest review. show less

Once upon a time there was a Ball held for all of the eligible maidens in the land in order for the Prince to choose a bride. Charlotte Rousseau was maiden number sixty-four in line to meet the Prince, but never got the chance after a beautiful, golden haired maiden swept in and caught the Prince's attention. Returning home to her small town of St. Fleur, Charlotte dutifully assists her ailing mother in taking care of their home, helps her father with his work as a physician and spends time show more with her childhood friend, Thomas. Not long after the Ball, the death of the King and the disappearance of the Prince is announced, making Duke Frederick next in line for the throne. That same day, Thomas and Charlotte find a seriously injured man, Charlotte and her Father fix his injuries that best that they can, but the man will be disfigured and without part of his leg. Charlotte nurses the man back to health and as he heals, finds the connection between the missing Prince and her injured man; she now gets the opportunity that she never received at the ball. However, as the Prince heals, Duke Frederick has been creating problems for small towns such as St. Fleur. It is now imperative to return the missing Prince to the throne and Charlotte and Thomas risk their lives to do so.

This was a really interesting spin on Cinderella. The writing was very fast-paced and this was a shorter book, leaving me to fill in some gaps in time throughout the story; however I did feel that the character development was very good. I had a good picture of who Charlotte, Thomas and Prince Julien really were. I also struggled along with them as their relationships developed. It was evident to me that the hard-working, loyal and brave Thomas was in love with Charlotte, but that she had only ever seen him as a brother figure and friend. I was glad to see that the Prince did not just sweep Charlotte off her feet with good looks and royal standing, but it was Charlotte who really ended up saving the Prince. I really liked that Charlotte could see through his injuries, even when his "Cinderella" couldn't. Wrapping up in an exciting conclusion, the Prince and Charlotte received their fairy tale happily ever after as well as Thomas and the original Cinderella earn a different kind of ever afters.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. show less

The synopsis makes the plot of this book sound interesting and compelling. When the opportunity to read and review came up, I was curious to see if the book was as good as it sounded, or if the blurb gave everything way. Luckily for me, it was even more interesting than the blurb made it seem! With flavors of steam-punk, turn-of-the-century living, and true love, this book gave me a wonderful night of reading.

The characters in this story are all interesting, and wonderful in their own ways. show more I adore Abigail- she is someone I can relate to completely, and I love seeing her in this incredible situation. Schuyler is a hoot! He completely shocked me half way through the book, taking the story to a whole new level of interest. Godspeed is a wonderful character- he reminds me very much of a medical Sherlock Holmes, with his intense and abrasive, somewhat unsympathetic characteristics and personality. Not that he is a mean character, in any way, but simply a brilliant genius, who tends toward eccentric behavior, which is entertaining.

The writing immediately reminded me of a Jane Austen novel. February Grace is a very good writer- she had me laughing, crying, and on the edge of my seat throughout the book, and I couldn't imagine this story being any better. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to anyone.

*I was given an eCopy of this book, from the author, to read in exchange for an honest review. show less

The synopsis makes the plot of this book sound interesting and compelling. When the opportunity to read and review came up, I was curious to see if the book was as good as it sounded, or if the blurb gave everything way. Luckily for me, it was even more interesting than the blurb made it seem! With flavors of steam-punk, turn-of-the-century living, and true love, this book gave me a wonderful night of reading.

The characters in this story are all interesting, and wonderful in their own ways. show more I adore Abigail- she is someone I can relate to completely, and I love seeing her in this incredible situation. Schuyler is a hoot! He completely shocked me half way through the book, taking the story to a whole new level of interest. Godspeed is a wonderful character- he reminds me very much of a medical Sherlock Holmes, with his intense and abrasive, somewhat unsympathetic characteristics and personality. Not that he is a mean character, in any way, but simply a brilliant genius, who tends toward eccentric behavior, which is entertaining.

The writing immediately reminded me of a Jane Austen novel. February Grace is a very good writer- she had me laughing, crying, and on the edge of my seat throughout the book, and I couldn't imagine this story being any better. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to anyone.

*I was given an eCopy of this book, from the author, to read in exchange for an honest review. show less