New giveaway! Now I'm giving away The Lightkeeper's Bride by Colleen Coble (with bonus review)

For a chance to win this historical romance/mystery, simply post a comment answering the following question. What do you like (or dislike) about novels written during the Victorian era? I will pick a winner next Sunday using the Randomizer program. Best wishes to you!




About the book:

A thrilling romantic mystery set in the lush Victorian age.

Central Operator Katie Russell's inquisitive ways have just uncovered her parents' plan for her marriage to wealthy bachelor Bartholomew Foster. Her heart is unmoved, but she knows the match will bring her family status and respectability.

Then Katie overhears a phone conversation that makes her uneasy and asks authorities to investigate. But the caller is nowhere to be found. Mysterious connections arise between the caller and a ship lost at sea.

Against propriety, Katie questions the new lighthouse keeper, Will Jesperson. Then a smallpox epidemic forces their quarantine in his lighthouse. Though of low social status, Will's bravery and kindness remove Katie's suspicion and win her love. Katie and Will together work to solve the mystery of the missing girl and the lost ship as God gives the couple the desire of their hearts.

My review:

The Lightkeeper's Bride was about as compulsively readable as the first book in the series. Ms. Coble is certainly gifted when it comes to writing historical romances. While Katie was a bit feisty and headstrong for a woman in that era, I still liked her. And I really liked Will, the lighthouse keeper. The whole intrigue and danger theme from the pirating was pretty engaging and I loved not knowing what was going to happen next. There were a number of twists I didn't see coming, and I liked that it wasn't predictable, at least not for me. 


The romantic elements in this novel were especially endearing. Even with the restrictions of society at that time Ms. Coble does a great job with turning up the heat and making the romantic tension palpable. I loved that. Will was a great hero and the fact that he was enamored with a child endeared him to me even more. 


The whole subplot about parentage was quite intriguing as was the whole issue of a missing woman. I loved that Katie had to deal with so many different feelings of betrayal in the midst of her other struggles. That was well done. The fact that Will was there to encourage her and that he prayed for her just made him more heroic. The faith thread in this book was light, but clearly present. I loved the fact that not everyone was what they seemed, however, because it made for an engaging novel. I'm looking forward to reading the third book in the series. 



The Lightkeeper's Bride was published by Thomas Nelson and released in October 2010. A copy of this book was provided for me to review by Wynn-Wynn Media. The review expressed above is entirely my own.