Gail Symmonds, Diary of the Heart

Title:  Diary of the Heart

Author:  Gail Symmonds 

Rating:  Four And A Half Siren Stones

Genre:  Historical Romance

Sub-Genre:  Time Travel Romance

Keywords:  English Tea Rose, Spicy, Scottish Highlands, 17^th Century

Page Count:  368       

ISBN E-Book:  161-2170307

Price:  $5.99

ISBN for Print:  978-1-61217-030

Price:  $14.99

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=176_138&products_id=4809

Reviewer:  Nikki

Blurb/Summary:

Within the pages of a secret diary, modern-day bookworm Julia Brown discovers an intriguing tale of mystery and deceit. But, little does she realise just how much her existence is intertwined within the ancient journal...until she is thrust back in time to the Scottish Highlands 1681. Armed only with the passionate writings of a woman long gone, she will pursue the truth of her own past...and discover the man of her dreams. 

Review:

Prepare yourselves to be swept away, into another time.  Allow an enchantment of Diary of the Heart, as this book sweeps the reader into a story that is engaging, riveting, and enjoyable.

Ms. Symmonds cleverly combines the past and the present in this story as a young woman is taken to another time and learns things she never imagined possible.  The story follows Julia as she struggles to understand.  There's plenty of action, romance, suspense, and intrigue.  I love time travel novels and this is one that definitely didn't disappoint!

Kudos to the author on a job well done.  This is definitely a keeper. 

Amy Corwin, The Bricklayer's Helper

Title: The Bricklayer’s Helper

Author: Amy Corwin

Rating: Four And A Half Siren Stones

Genre: Historical (Non-American)

Sub-Genre: Romance

Keywords: English Tea Rose, Sweet

Page Count: 376 pages

ISBN E-Book: 1-60154-793-5

Price: $7.00

ISBN For Print: 978-1601547934

Price: $14.99

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-bricklayer%C2%92s-helper-p-4156.html

Reviewer: Rhonda J Callum-King

Blurb/Summary:

Sarah has masqueraded as Sam, a bricklayer’s helper, for years. But her past catches up with her in London. A thirteen year-old fire, deliberately set to murder her family, is smouldering, and the killer intends to ensure there are no survivors. Desperate, Sam turns to the renowned Second Sons agency for help. Inquiry agent, William Trenchard, is both troubled and fascinated by Sam, and immediately suspects “he” is a “she.” Unfortunately, before William can discover what lies beneath the brick dust and sun-bleached hair, they are plunged into a maelstrom of deceit and murder.

Review:

I found The Bricklayer’s Helper by Amy Corwin to be a delightfully entertaining read. The story begins among the working classes of Regency England with a young woman masquerading as a man. She immediately runs into trouble as she witnesses the murder of a man she was attempting to meet who had information for her. Throughout the day, while dressed and working as a young man, she believes she is being followed and possibly is in danger. That evening, Sarah, known to all as Sam, turns to Second Sons, Discreet Inquires in order to hire Mr. William Trenchard to discover who may have killed the gentleman earlier in the day.

I found the dichotomy between Sarah’s current lifestyle and that of her youth to be quite engaging. The character interplay between the spoiled but intelligent Mr. Trenchard and the hard working disguised Sarah/Sam put a wonderful perspective on class differentiation in Regency England. When mystery turns to romance, class distinction takes yet another surprising turn. Ms. Corwin’s mystery, which runs throughout the story, keeps one guessing up until the last moment. The Bricklayer’s Helper is a fabulous, all around mystery romance that is sure to entertain.