Category: Reviews by Angela Bell

Bio: ECPA bestselling author Angela Bell is a 21st century lady with 19th century sensibilities. Her favorite pastimes include reading voraciously, drinking copious amounts of tea, and writing letters with a fountain pen. She resides in Texas with her charming pup Mr. Bingley Crosby. One might categorize her books as Historical Romance, but Angela likes to describe them as “A Cuppa Victorian Whimsy” because it sounds so much more poetical.

Whenever you need a respite from the 21st century hustle, visit her imaginary parlor at AuthorAngelaBell.com where she can be found waiting with a pot of tea and a great book. You can also subscribe to her newsletter and connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Bookbub, and Goodreads.

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The Dress Shop on King Street by Ashley Clark

The audio version of this review was first shared in Episode 41: A Bookchat about Come Down Somewhere with Jennifer L. Wright & a Review of The Dress Shop on King Street by Ashley Clark

THE BOOK

Harper Dupree has pinned all her hopes on a future in fashion design. But when it comes crashing down around her, she returns home to Fairhope, Alabama, and to Millie, the woman who first taught her how to sew. As Harper rethinks her own future, long-hidden secrets about Millie’s past are brought to light.

In 1946, Millie Middleton—the daughter of an Italian man and a Black woman—boarded a train and left Charleston to keep half of her heritage hidden. She carried with her two heirloom buttons and the dream of owning a dress store. She never expected to meet a charming train jumper who changed her life forever . . . and led her yet again to a heartbreaking choice about which heritage would define her future.

Now, together, Harper and Millie return to Charleston to find the man who may hold the answers they seek . . . and a chance at the dress shop they’ve both dreamed of. But it’s not until all appears lost that they see the unexpected ways to mend what frayed between the seams.

THE REVIEW

Sometimes a book finds you at a pivotal moment when it seems as though the story was written just for you. Like a love note from God tucked within the pages. For me, “The Dress Shop on King Street” was one such book. 

With southern charm and a whole lot of heart, Ashley Clark has created a story with the skilled craftsmanship, exquisite detail, and unique beauty of a couture gown from days gone by. In hat-wearing Millie and vintage-loving Harper, I found kindred spirits. And in their story, I found a gleaming thread of hope to mend the fabric of a long-cherished dream. 

If you’re a fan of southern fiction, multigenerational stories, and intricately woven dual time narratives,The Dress Shop on King Street by Ashley Clark is a must read!

THE AUTHOR

Ashley Clark is the acclaimed novelist of The Heirloom Secrets Series. She writes women’s fiction set in the South, and her stories are filled with faith, sweet romance, and lots of family secrets. She loves all things vintage and the almost-forgotten stories of the past. Ashley finds her writing interests influenced by the spaces shared between femininity + strength, loss + legacy, and beauty + memory. She is an English adjunct instructor, a wife and homeschool mama, and she adores her adopted senior Cocker Spaniel.

Read more about Ashley on her website. (www.ashleyclarkbooks.com)

ECPA bestselling author Angela Bell is a 21st century lady with 19th century sensibilities. Her activities consist of reading voraciously, drinking copious amounts of tea, and writing letters with a fountain pen. Learn more about her at AuthorAngelaBell.com

Disclaimer: The publisher offered a complimentary copy of this book. The review was given freely, without payment. All views expressed are only the honest opinion of a member of the Historical Bookworm Review Team.

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Moondrop Miracle by Jennifer Lamont Leo 

The audio version of this review was first shared in Episode 40: A Book-chat about  Worthy of Legend with Roseanna M. White  & a Review of Moondrop Miracle by Jennifer Lamont Leo

THE BOOK

Chicago, 1928. Pampered socialite Connie Shepherd lives the kind of glossy life other women read about in the society pages. Engaged to a handsome financier, she spends her days and nights in a dizzying social round. When eccentric Aunt Pearl, an amateur chemist, offers her an unusual wedding present—the formula for a home-brewed skin tonic—Connie laughs it off. But when the Great Depression flings her privileged world into chaos and rocks her marriage to the core, will Aunt Pearl’s strange gift provide the key to survival for Connie and her baby? By turns heartbreaking and hope-filled, Moondrop Miracle tells the story of an extraordinary and unforgettable woman whose determination to succeed changes her life forever.

THE REVIEW

Whenever I try a new-to-me author’s work, I’m always hopeful that I’ll uncover a hidden gem. Dear readers, I’m pleased to report that “Moondrop Miracle” by Jennifer Lamont Leo is one such gem of a book, and oh my, does it sparkle! 

By the final page of chapter one, I noted the glimmer of something special. The multifaceted heroine Connie drew me in right away, and her adorably eccentric Aunt Pearl completely stole my heart! Using her skilled pen, Leo lets us tag along with these endearing characters as they experience the final glory days of the Roaring Twenties and the economic crash of the Great Depression. Connie’s growth and spiritual journey are beautifully developed. Toward the end, I was so engrossed in her life, friendships, and career that I could not put the book down. Seriously, y’all, this in-bed-by-nine-gal was up past midnight binge reading! 

If you love historical fiction, period dramas, or grew up admiring the Mary Kay lady with her pretty pink cosmetics, then you simply must try Moondrop Miracle! 

THE AUTHOR

Award-winning author Jennifer Lamont Leo writes from her home in the mountains of northern Idaho, where she lives with her husband, two cats, and as much wildlife as she can attract. Passionate about history, she volunteers at a local history museum and writes history-themed articles for regional publications. She also hosts the podcast A Sparkling Vintage Life, where she discusses all things vintage.

Read more about Jennifer on her website: JenniferLamontLeo.com

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ECPA bestselling author Angela Bell is a 21st century lady with 19th century sensibilities. Her activities consist of reading voraciously, drinking copious amounts of tea, and writing letters with a fountain pen. Learn more about her at AuthorAngelaBell.com

Disclaimer: The author offered a complimentary copy of this book. The review was given freely, without payment. All views expressed are only the honest opinion of a member of the Historical Bookworm Review Team.

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Hope Between the Pages by Pepper D. Basham

 The audio version of this review was first shared in Episode 36: Guest Parker J. Cole & a Review of Hope Between the Pages by Pepper Basham

THE BOOK

Clara Blackwell can’t lose her family’s one-hundred-year-old bookshop, but with the deed missing, there’s a chance her father’s legacy could fall into the hands of her greedy uncle. In an attempt to locate the missing deed, Clara uncovers an unusual love note which leads to the discovery of a long-lost romance. Forced to step outside her predictable bookish world, Clara embarks on an adventure with only the name Oliver as a hint of the man’s identity in her great grandmother’s unknown history. From the beautiful North Carolina Vanderbilt estate to a hamlet in The Lake District, England, can Clara put the pieces of an ill-fated romance together in order to save her bookshop…and maybe even find her own bookish happily-ever-after in the process?

THE REVIEW 

Hope Between the Pages by Pepper D. Basham is a charming blend that combines strong notes of anglophile with the papery aroma of bibliophile and sweetens it to perfection with a hint of hopeless romantic.

In this dual time novel, Basham has created a pair of bookish heroines you’ll love to root for as they leave the safety of their respective libraries to write their own stories. I related to modern day Clara’s affinity for vintage style and adored the whimsical courtship of letters between Edwardian couple, Sadie and Oliver.

If you’ve ever wished the Hallmark channel had produced Downton Abbey, this book is sure to be your cup of tea! 

Disclaimer: The publisher offered a complimentary copy of this book. The review was given freely, without payment. All views expressed are only the honest opinion of a member of the Historical Bookworm Review Team.

THE AUTHOR

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor with southern Appalachian flair. Both her historical and contemporary novels have garnered recognition in the Grace Awards, Inspys, and ACFW Carol Awards. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist to about fifty more, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus. 

Read more about Pepper on her website. (www.pepperdbasham.com) 

Author Angela Bell