Diana's Spring Favorites!

Spring is by far my favorite season of the year! It's a time of renewed hope, beautiful weather, light gentle rains, spring flowers, and more great books! Here is my spring list of favorite books I have read so far in 2016 in no particular order.

*Click on to title to order any of these wonderful books!*


A Worthy Heart By Susan Ann Mason

Susan Anne Mason has penned a mesmerizing, impassioned Irish American saga of two families whose lives intertwine at the lovely and affluent estate—the O'Leary stables, Irish Meadows, in 1914 Long Island, New York.

Charity's Cross By MaryLu Tyndall

MaryLu Tyndall takes the reader off on a turbulent, exhilarating seafaring journey—from the perils of frothy, turquoise waters filled with swashbuckling pirates and a dangerous jungle replete with exotic birds, foliage, and uncivilized natives—to the beauties of the Caribbean with its warm breezes, swaying palms, sugar cane, and tropical fruits of the West Indies.

The Steeplechase By Carrie Fancett Pagels

Carrie Fancett Pagels has written an outstanding, detailed story that is so jam-packed it reads like a full length novel. Action, intrigue, spies, breathtaking romance—it's all in there!

Beyond The Silence By Tracie Peterson & Kim Woodhouse

Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse have successfully teamed up to pen an intriguing, heartwarming read about a young woman who travels to the lush, rolling hills of California seeking to fulfill her dreams and finds much more than she bargains for—a chance at love and life threatening danger stalking her every move.

Sense And Sensibility By Sarah Price

What transpires when you blend Jane Austen's memorable characters with Sarah Price's unique Amish voice? A captivating classic retelling of Sense and Sensibility is born!

Bride Of A Distant Isle By Sandra Byrd

Lovers of Gothic & Victorian era authors such as Charlotte and Emily Bronte, Dapne du Maurier, and even Julie Klassen fans, are sure to delight in this suspenseful, well written novel—intertwining the exotic allure of the island of Malta and the beauty of the English seaside!

A Flight Of Arrows By Lori Benton

I just finished reading an ARC of this historical masterpiece!! Review coming up later on OWG! Be sure to pre-order a copy by clicking on to title above this cover—release date April 19!

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MY SPRING TBR LIST!

Sofi's Bridge By Christine Lindsay

Dawn At Emberwilde By Sarah E. Ladd

The Beautiful Pretender By Melanie Dickerson

Do you have any good 2016 book recommendations for me??
~HAPPY READING~

GIVEAWAY: One blessed commenter will win a $10 Amazon gift card! To be eligible please leave your email address written (at) and (dot) to protect yourself from spammers.

Diana's Review Of Bride Of A Distant Isle By Sandra Byrd



Bride of a Distant Isle By Sandra Byrd
Howard Books, Mar. 2016

Reviewed By Diana Flowers

(No Spoilers!)

~5 Stars~

Riveting Historical Fiction!

With the sweep of her pen, author Sandra Byrd has written an exotic, intriguing Victorian era novel with a permeating aura of mystery—wrapping an invisible veil around the reader and ensnaring them until that last exquisite page is turned.

A school teacher for young ladies in Winchester, England, Annabel Ashton is summoned for a seemingly short visit to her family home, Highcliffe Hall, near the sea. However, she finds herself at the mercy of her cousin, Edward Everedge, and is unable to leave. Highcliffe Hall is to go up for sale, and much to Annabel's horror Edward has promised her to a evil, menacing man of means. She has little say so in the matter as she was born the half Maltese, illegitimate daughter of a woman who died in an insane asylum, making Edward and his wife heirs to Highcliffe. But soon sinister secrets surround Annabel as she starts to exhibit disquieting behavior—and jewelry, portraits, and other items begin to mysteriously appear, suggesting that she may be the true heiress of Highcliffe after all. Can she trust the handsome Maltese Captain Dell'Acqua to help her, or is he just using her as means to an end?

Lovers of Gothic era authors such as Charlotte and Emily Bronte, Dapne du Maurier, and even Julie Klassen fans, are sure to delight in this suspenseful, well written novel—intertwining the exotic allure of the island of Malta and the beauty of the English seaside. I never knew anything about Malta and the author's amazing research of the island's people and customs totally fascinated me. There was more than one time I wanted to thump Annabel on the head and say, "Do something!" until she finally read my thoughts and DID something that knocked the props right out from under me! To say I was shocked would be an understatement! And oh, the hunky, romantic hero...be still my heart! Although the story may appear dark from the description, the playful, humorous quips between the two main characters, the balls, shipboard dinners, and fireworks (real and those between the hero and heroine!), keep it from being so. With many haunting plot twists, vivid detail, and a mesmerizing plot, this is one novel I'll long remember!

"Alla fine andrà tutto bene se non andrà bene, non e le fine".
"All will be well in the end; if it's not well, then it's not the end."
~Quote From Bride of a Distant Isle~

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Thanks to Howard Books for providing me with a copy of this novel for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review.

This novel may be purchased through Amazon, CBD, BAM, and your local bookstore.

GIVEAWAY: Sandra Byrd is generously giving away a paperback copy of Bride of a Distant Isle to one blessed commenter AND a gorgeous cameo bookmark to another! *US entrants only.* To be eligible please leave your email address written (at) and (dot) to protect yourself from spammers.

Beautiful Cameo Bookmarks By Nicole Laverdure!

Diana Reviews Mist Of Midnight By Sandra Byrd

Mist of Midnight by Sandra Byrd

Simon & Schuster, 2015

Reviewed by Diana Flowers

5 stars~

 
Secrets Amongst The Mist!

In Mist of Midnight, author Sandra Byrd has written a haunting Gothic romance set in Victorian England—of a mansion mysteriously shrouded by shadowy mists, and secrets as entangled as the overgrown vines surrounding it.

 

Rebecca Ravenshaw returns from India to claim her family estate in England after the death of her missionary parents. Less than a year earlier, an impostor had taken over her estate and her identity. The fake Miss Ravenshaw had died shortly thereafter, and was hastily buried amongst the ever rising mists surrounding Headbourne House at midnight. Rebecca finds her home and investments have been taken over by the darkly handsome, Captain Luke Whitfield. As Rebecca seeks to prove her identity, she finds herself deeply attracted to Luke. However, she does not trust his intentions and wonders if she could possibly meet the same demise as her impostor. Does Luke want her inheritance or her love...and who was the first "Rebecca" and exactly how did she die?
 

Ex-Missionary To India, Rebecca Hennas Her Hands For The Ball

 



Sea Green Sari Rebecca Wears To The Ball

Even if you aren't a fan of Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights (which I am!), you're sure to love this Gothic novel; swathed in mystery and romance, moonlight picnics and luxurious balls— not to mention the exotic aura of India throughout. This is my first novel by author Sandra Byrd and I loved every single page of it! Rebecca is a thoroughly likeable heroine and Captain Whitfield, a deeply complex hero with many a secret and very swoon worthy indeed. With just enough chilling apprehension to raise a few goose bumps and the hair on the back of your neck as well, be sure and order your copy of this satisfying read today!

 

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This book may be purchased through Amazon, CBD, BAM, and your local bookstores.

GIVEAWAY: A $10 Amazon gift card will be given away to one blessed viewer who posts a comment on my review of Mist of Midnight!