Bloggin' 'bout Books: 04/12/17

2023 Literary Escapes Challenge

- ~~Alabama~~ (1)

- ~~Alaska~~ (1)

- ~~Arizona~~ (1)

- Arkansas

- ~~California~~ (6)

- ~~Colorado~~ (1)

- ~~Connecticut~~ (1)

- Delaware

- Florida

- ~~Georgia~~ (1)

- Hawaii

- Idaho

- Illinois

- Indiana

- ~~Iowa~~ (1)

- ~~Kansas~~ (1)

- ~~Kentucky~~ (1)

- ~~Louisiana~~ (1)

- ~~Maine~~ (2)

- ~~Maryland~~ (2)

- ~~Massachusetts~~ (2)

- ~~Michigan~~ (1)

- Minnesota

- ~~Mississippi~~ (1)

- Missouri

- ~~Montana~~ (1)

- Nebraska

- Nevada

- New Hampshire

- New Jersey

- New Mexico

- ~~New York~~ (4)

- ~~North Carolina~~ (3)

- North Dakota

- ~~Ohio~~ (1)

- Oklahoma

- Oregon

- Pennsylvania

- ~~Rhode Island~~ (1)

- ~~South Carolina~~ (1)

- South Dakota

- Tennessee

- ~~Texas~~ (1)

- Utah

- ~~Vermont~~ (2)

- Virginia

- ~~Washington~~ (2)

- ~~West Virginia~~ (1)

- ~~Wisconsin~~ (1)

- Wyoming

- Washington, D.C.*

International:

- Australia (3)

- Canada (6)

- England (12)

- France (1)

- Ireland (2)

- Scotland (1)

- South Korea (1)

- The Netherlands (1)

-Vietnam (1)

Light, Sweet Romance An Enjoyable Read (With a Giveaway!)

8:47 PM

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

Sarah Whitaker is used to standing on her own two feet. In breeches and work boots no less. Running a sheep farm in the Australian Outback, in a colony overrun with poisonous spiders, venomous snakes, and exiled convicts, is not for the faint of heart. Sarah may be a lady, but she's also as tough as the wilderness surrounding her. She has to be. With no family to protect her, no guardian to instruct her, and no neighbors to come to her rescue, she's on her own. And doing just fine, thank you very much.

http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/p/lds-authors.html

After a money-earning stunt goes horribly wrong, Daniel Burton (who happens to be the brother of Meg, who stars in Miss Burton Unmasks a Prince) is scheduled to hang. Overwhelmed with guilt and shame, he knows he deserves his fate. When an influential relative intervenes, however, Daniel can't help but jump at the chance to start over. Although he's required to serve a 14-year sentence in an Australian penal colony, he will not be treated as the other convicts. Unlike them, he'll be allowed to own land, to work his own farm, and to make his own profits. Determined to prove himself a solid, trustworthy man, he sets himself to the task.

Neither Sarah nor Daniel expect to become neighbors. Nor could they predict the sparks that fly between them from the moment they meet. As the two become reluctant friends, then much more, Daniel knows he has to tell the wary Miss Whitaker the truth about his past. She's learned to trust no one as a general rule. What will happen when he reveals the things he's been concealing? Will their young romance wilt before it's even had a chance to blossom?

I'm not the biggest romance reader, but I do enjoy a fun Regency love story occasionally to balance out heavier, darker reads. Jennifer Moore's novels always deliver a quick, adventure-filled tale peopled with likable characters and sweet romance. I've read most of Moore's books, all of which I enjoyed. Her newest, Miss Whitaker Opens Her Heart, takes place in the Outback, giving the story an exotic bent that makes it even more intriguing. The tale is predictable, sure, but who cares? It's a light, engaging read that is romantic, clean, and delightful. If you're looking for a breezy, swoon-y read, you really can't go wrong with a Jennifer Moore novel. Her newest is no exception.

(Readalikes: Reminds me of books by Sarah M. Eden as well as others by Jennifer Moore, including Simply Anna; Lady Emma's Campaign; A Place For Miss Snow; Lady Helen Finds Her Song; and Miss Burton Unmasks a Prince)

Grade: