Once An Heiress by Renee Ryan -- Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Blurb: Boston society darling Gigi Wentworth leaves behind everything she holds dear for the sake of love - only to learn that the man with whom she'd planned to elope is nothing but a thieving scoundrel. Abandoned in New York City and saddled with debt, Gigi must sell a prized family heirloom, but even that sacrifice isn't enough to get her home. Her determination drives her to take on work as a lady's maid, keeping her identity a secret...until she's discovered by a former friend with a hidden agenda. 

Although dealing with his own serious family issue, Christopher "Fitz" Fitzpatrick sets out to return the missing heiress to her rightful place in society. But the more he interacts with this new Gigi, the more shocked he is to find her so changed. Gone is the frivolous beauty in expensive gowns. In her place is a woman he could grow to love. When secrets are revealed, will Gigi and Fitz find the trust they need to confront the past and open their hearts?

Worth the Wait!

By Carrie Fancett Pagels

Once An Heiress (Brilliance Audio)

by Renee Ryan

Narrated by Karen Peakes

I was anxiously awaiting the release of this audible.com download, book 3 in the Gilded Promises series. I knew Gigi Wentworth would have a fascinating story to tell, and she does! This is a Prodigal Daughter story. Good spiritual arcs for both hero and heroine. Both needed to change in order for God to give them a chance to possibly make a new start. 

Make sure you read the first two books in this series before listening to book three in the series. They are all solid listens. I'll confess the first was my fave, but all are wonderful listens. I hadn't listened to any of Renee's books before and she's an impressive author--has it all with voice, characterization, and story. 

If you liked my novel, My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude's Mooring, you will likely enjoy this series which is also set at the turn of the century.

Giveaway: This week, I'm giving away a box of books. Comment on this post for an extra entry. Comment on my Sunday post on "Just" for a second entry! 

Review of Tracey J. Lyons "The Heart of an Agent" Audiobook

A Great Listen!!!

Review of Tracey J. Lyons The Heart of an Agent
Brilliance Audio (November 2017)

I listened to this audiobook via an Audible.com download. I have a membership. Click here for the link to audible purchase.

I had the privilege of meeting Tracey at the 2016 CFRR (Christian Fiction Readers Retreat) in Nashville. She's a delightful lady. We'd been social media friends prior to that. Check out Tracey's website www.TraceyLyons.com for a chance to meet up with her at one of her upcoming events!

This novel is book two in her Pinkerton series. I loved the first book, A Changed Agent, which I also reviewed here on the blog!  So I was really looking forward to this story. Both books were narrated by Lauren Ezzo, who did a good job.

I'd seen that another reviewer called this a "Beauty and the Beast" type of story and I'll be honest, I am not a fan of that trope. However, I really enjoyed the first book and went ahead and made the purchase. The first section of the book did end up being more that type of story with the bereaved hero an angry broken man stuck in his denial. But the sweet and feisty heroine, Lily Handland, becomes a balm to Owen Murphy's soul. I really got into the book after the point that Owen is less "beastly" for lack of a better word!

Once the story turns this corner, there is so much to love about the story. It's set in the Adirondacks at the turn of the century, Lily is a wonderful character who feels like a friend, and Owen finally settles down into the wonderful man he truly is. But can they both overcome their pasts? Can they save his lodge? Do yourself a huge favor, get the book and find out! It is a great listen!

Audiobook Review of Melanie Dickerson's "A Viscount's Proposal"

A Viscount's Proposal by Melanie Dickerson

A Viscount's Proposal
by
Melanie Dickerson
(Brilliance Audio, 2017)

A very enjoyable listen!

At first Leorah Langdon was not a very sympathetic character, seeming rather shallow and seemingly determined to show she could thumb her nose at society's rules. However, as the story progresses, her faith and her dislike of social behavior that is all for show and that restricts women, becomes more understandable. She perceives her parents have had an unhappy passionless relationship. Her nemesis, Edward, the Viscount Withinghall, seems to show up everywhere she goes and always has some complaint about her which he seems only too happy to announce in public, making him come across as a pompous prig. Edward has his life mapped out. He's in line to become Prime minister and has a suitable woman in mind for wife. But he does have a big heart and a huge sense of justice. 

Leorah's brother is friends with Edward and speaks highly of him. But she has already formed her own opinion of him. When she is injured and rescued by the Viscount and then a frightening accident occurs, the two are pressured to consider marriage. But strong-willed Leorah isn't about to be forced to accept a proposal from a man she can never imagine falling in love with and returning that love. 

Both the heroine and hero have to work through their pasts, their current relationships, and fend off a potential killer. A satisfying ending makes it worth it to have to have listen to the accident recounted over and over again in the audiobook. The narrator is pretty awful but I've heard worse. The plot is rather slow and redundant in parts but it really suits the audio format, making it easier to keep track of the plot lines. This reminds me of some Georgette Heyer audiobooks and should please her readers. Unlike many Regency stories, there aren't a lot of party scenes or social settings in this book but the plot doesn't need it for "dressing."

I am a member of audible.com and listened to a download from their site. This book is available in paperback, ebook, audio download, and MP3. As of February 17, 2017 this book was the #1 Bestseller in Historical Romance

Giveaway: We have a giveaway (USA only other than ebook) for one of our commenters on this post. Which of Melanie's books have you enjoyed most and why?

Three Reasons to Listen to The Lesson (audiobook) by Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Lesson by Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Lesson
Stoney Ridge Seasons #3
By Suzanne Woods Fisher

Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

The audiobook CD by Brilliance Audio only recently released (August 6) for this novel which was published by Revell in January 2013.  I pre-ordered mine. Unfortunately I got mixed up and listened to The Letters before I listened to The Lesson.  I'd advise you to listen to The Lesson first.

Reasons to listen to this audiobook:
1) Characterization and a favorite character finally gets her "man."
I have loved Mary Kate or M.K. Lapp ever since I first "met" her when she was a child in Suzanne's stories. So it is great reading a story where she is now grown up and thrown into the situation of being a teacher. And I LOVED her elderly mentor--what a wonderful character.  I wish Suzanne would give us a few more stories with her in it.

2) Bibliotherapy elements are deep and powerful. (And even affected me!) Have you read a Christian book where a big part of the story line is about the effects of Meth-amphetamine usage? I sure haven't.

Chris Yoder is a wonderful hero--he's a young man carrying the weight of the world.  Chris and Jenny, his younger sister, have a mother in prison who is a meth addict. Mom is really a piece of work and Suzanne portrays her so well I almost wonder if she, like myself, has one of these sad people in her family.  I listened to the audiotape and I had to turn it off during the part where Jenny has been suckered into a situation with her mother where I knew what was going to happen but Jenny did not.  Turned it off.  Thought what a hard core user like this who is so messed up would do. And that night I discovered my own family member was arrested on drug charges and is faces his own possible prison time.  So I got my own bit of bibliotherapy through this audiobook, which was interesting.  I thought--this person (Suzanne) knows what the family is going through. They really get it.  And that is one of the points of bibliotherapy--reading something that speaks to your own issue. And I am very glad Suzanne didn't try to sugar coat or pull a miracle out of her bonnet. I think if she had done that she'd have disappointed a lot of people who know it truly does take a miracle to pull someone out of this addiction. Great job of showing how co-dependency affects the family, too.

Interesting how one of the characters who is so powerful isn't even alive--"Old Deborah" who is still impacting the lives of Chris, Jenny, and others, by the way she gave to others in trouble. Great example of how a humble and simple life can be so meaningful!

3) The audiobook has a lovely narrator and what a great thing to do while you are washing dishes, folding clothes, and doing other "quiet" cleaning. You can read while doing housekeeping!

But back to the overall book--again we have the lovely Suzanne voice, characterization, and taut storyline. Although we start out with a suspected murder we end up discovering another crime that occurred years earlier.  

Giveaway: Gently used CD (not MP3 - can be played on a regular CD player.)  Here's what you have to do to be entered.  Check out the Deeper Shopping website and put "DS" on your comment to count twice.  If you are a Follower of our blog put OWG. We are TWO away from out 300th Follower.  That person will receive a special prize and if that person is you, email me at overcomingwithGod@aol.com!   Leave your email addy if we don't know you well.