Top Ten Green Book Covers

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. This week's topic is Top Ten Green Book Covers

1. Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass, # 3) by Sarah J Maas
2. Old Flames and New Fortunes by Sarah Hogle
3. The Gentleman's Confession (Matchmaking Mamas, # 3) by Anneka R Walker
4. A Whimsical Notion by Jennie Goutet
5. Drive Me Crazy by Lizzy Dent
6. Rule of the Aurora King (Artefacts of Ouranos, # 2) by Nisha J Tuli
7. Sir Andrew and the Authoress (Clairvoir Castle Romances, # 3) by Sally Britton
8. Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet (Charley Davidson, # 4) by Darynda Jones
9. Fate & Furies (The Legends of Thezmarr, # 3) by Helen Scheuerer
10. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (Harry Potter, # 6) by JK Rowling

Which books have you read that feature green book covers? Let me know!

Lord Farleigh & Miss Frost - Review

Lord Farleigh and Miss Frost (Clairvoir Castle Romances, # 4)

By: Sally Britton

Publication: November 21, 2022

253 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Romance

Source: YouTube Audiobooks

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--An Irish miss and a duke's son have little in common, but Christmas at the castle has a way of bringing the most unlikely people together.

Isleen Frost wishes her family had stayed in Dublin for Christmas but understands it would have been folly to decline an invitation to the Duke of Montfort’s Christmastide house party. Isleen refuses to allow the opulent castle and powerful duke to impress her. But the duke’s eldest son, Lord Farleigh, is another matter entirely.

Raised as the heir to a duke, Simon Dinard, Lord Farleigh, has learned to project a calm self-assurance despite an inner fear he will never be as confident a leader as his father. When a friendly wager and a spirited Irish lady challenge all his unspoken thoughts, he determines to prove her wrong—and ignore the growing attraction between them.

Christmas celebrations at the castle are always full of surprises, but Isleen and Simon are not at all prepared for the feelings the season inspires between them. An Irish miss and a duke’s son have no business falling in love. But the magic of sleigh rides, snow-covered hills, and mistletoe might change their minds...

This novel is a sweet Regency romance and can be read as a stand-alone, though readers of the previous books will enjoy seeing old friends again.

Simon is the future Duke of Montfort. He is used to women and matchmaking mamas attempting to catch him in various forms. Either they want to catch his eye by flirting or catch him by trapping him in situations that would require him to marry. He's become jaded and conceited about women's attention. So he is refreshed to meet Miss Frost who has no designs to lure him into her web.

Miss Frost is simply visiting England with her brother and family as her brother attempts to strengthen his political alliances. She is supportive of her brother, but she is also sensitive about her Irish heritage. I suppose she is expecting to be viewed as lesser because of it. But she is feisty. And like A Companion for the Count, Miss Frost and Simon get pulled into a friendly wager by their friends. It is an attempt to get Simon to lighten up and enjoy a bit of frivolity, which has been lacking in his life the last few years.

Simon and Isleen have such a sweet romance. I loved the humor in this book. And I had some secondhand embarrassment for Simon with some of the tasks he was assigned. But he took it all in stride and good humor.

Whereas Sally Britton said at the beginning of the series that she needed to write something lessy heavy, something simply sweet and happy as an escape from real world events of the pandemic, the books have progressively gotten more intense with their plotlines. I still wouldn't classify Lord Farleigh & Miss Frost as intense exactly, but I wanted to illustrate the progression of the conflict.

Lord Farleigh & Miss Frost easily gets 4 Stars. This might have been my favorite book in the series. I hope that Sally Britton continues exploring these characters as we still have 3 siblings left--although they are younger than the ones we've read about so far. Have you read (or listened to) Lord Farleigh & Miss Frost? What did you think? Let me know!

A Duchess for the Duke - Review

A Duchess for the Duke (Claivoir Castle Romance, # 0.5)

By: Sally Britton

Expected Publication: April 1, 2023 by Pink Citrus Books

100 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Clean Romance

Source: YouTube Audiobooks

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--The Duke of Montfort takes a wife.

Gregory Dinard, a young duke caught unprepared for his role, needs a companion. When he meets Cecilia, he knows she has the grace and intelligence his duchess will need.

Lady Cecilia never expected more than a marriage of mutual benefit, but she's still surprised when the duke proposes an alliance between them.

Will love find a place in this practical arrangement?

This is the prequel novella for the Clairvoir Castle Romances series. Available on Amazon Spring 2023.

Gregory & Cecilia have been the sweetest parents to the main characters of the Claivoir Castle Romance series. They have been background or side characters that have led with strength, honor, and dignity. They have shaped the lives and character of their children and shown them a love that each child wants of their own. But how did these two characters' stories begin?

Because this is a novella, I don't have a ton to say about it, so this review will be short and sweet like this story.

Gregory's father has recently passed, and he is thrust into the role of Duke. He has been focused on all of his tasks and responsibilities required of him, but he is realizing that he does need to take a wife. His mother has come up with a list of women she thinks he should look into. And Gregory doesn't take long to zero in on Cecilia. Her personality and character show her an excellent option for a Duchess.

Cecilia has never been a social climber, so she never envisioned marrying a Duke. When Gregory approaches Cecilia, she thinks he's just appeasing his mother and can't be seriously interested in her as a partner and wife. When she realizes he's serious, she sees the advantages of marrying a Duke. She had no idea that her dreams of architecture would come in handy to restoring the ancestoral home of, nor did she realize that she would fall completely in love with her husband.

The Claivoir Castle series is a light-hearted and fun series. It isn't supposed to be heavy with drama or conflict, and sometimes I find that this is exactly what I need to be reading right now. And Gregory and Cecilia's romance was exactly the light and heart-warming experience I needed. Jessica Elisa Boyd does a wonderful job, as always, narrating this series. A Duchess for the Duke gets 4 Stars. Have you read (or listened to) A Duchess for the Duke? What did you think? Let me know!

Sir Andrew and the Authoress - Review

Sir Andrew and the Authoress (Clairvoir Castle Romances, # 3)

By: Sally Britton

Publication: April 9, 2022

234 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Regency

Source: YouTube Audiobooks

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Lady Josephine, the duke's eldest daughter, has a secret. When her brother's horrid best friend discovers what she's been hiding up in the castle tower, she has no choice but to take him into her confidence.

As the daughter of a duke, Lady Josephine has a long list of responsibilities, and an even longer list of things she must never do to dishonor the family name. Josephine knows exactly which side becoming an author falls upon, but she's determined to try her hand at it anyway. For months she has worked on her novel in secret, writing chapter after chapter of intrigue and romance. Unfortunately for Josephine, her sworn enemy stumbles upon her secret.

Sir Andrew Wycomb's close relationship to the Duke of Montfort's family and heir gives him more than one advantage in life. His loyalty to the family is absolute, even if he finds at least one of its members an annoyance. He and Lady Josephine have never seen eye-to-eye. But when he discovers that she's written a novel upon a subject she knows nothing about, he cannot help but sympathize with her dream. This creates an unlikely ceasefire between them.

But things at the castle are always changing, and when a determined suitor arrives to court Josephine, Andrew has to decide which secrets he's going to keep. Especially when he discovers the one he's kept even from himself - that perhaps he doesn't find Josephine an annoyance at all. In fact, she is quite charming. The more time they spend together, the more he hopes she will realize they aren't enemies, and they could be so much more...

As the third stand-alone novel in this sereis by author Sally Britton, this story continues the Clairvoir Castle romances. This is a light-hearted, sweet romance series set during the Regency era in England.

The Series:
Mr. Gardiner and the Governess
A Companion for the Count

I've mentioned it in all of my reviews of this series, but one thing I absolutely love is the low drama in this series. Sally Britton started the series during the COVID-19 pandemic and needed something low-stress and fun to keep her spirits up. And I can honestly say that sometimes I need low stress and fun too. Sometimes conflict feels forced, and I find it refreshing to have a series that doesn't have any of that to deal with.

Andrew was an obvious love-interest choice for Josephine since book 2, A Companion for the Count. Their banter was so enjoyable in that book as well as this one. Enemies-to-lovers is a favorite of so many people, for good reason. The tension between characters like this is off the charts.

Because Sally Britton chose to start the story after Josephine's first novel has been rejected by a publisher, Josie finds herself in a depressed state. Emma has recently married and left her, and her family assumes her melancholy comes from her loneliness. Andrew worms his way into discovering Josephine's secret hiding place in the castle and her biggest secret. And secrets shared have a way of bonding people.

I liked that Andrew discovered his feelings sooner than Josie, but each character still had to slowly find their way to each other.

I will say Sally Britton's inclusion of the British commoner's unhappiness with the gentry and ruling Lords did add a bit of higher stakes during this novel than the previous in the series. Even still, the main characters were removed from that conflict early and thus didn't face it directly as they could have.

I have nothing but good things to say about this book, these characters, and this story. I was once a little afraid that Josie might annoy me when her book arrived, but she did not. As usual, once you're in a character's mind, they become more understandable and less annoying than they might have otherwise been. Sir Andrew and the Authoress gets 4 Stars. I look forward to continuing this series as soon as possible. Have you read Sir Andrew and the Authoress? What did you think? Let me know!

A Companion for the Count - Review

A Companion for the Count (Clairvoir Castle Romances, # 2)

By: Sally Britton

Publication: May 2, 2021 by Pink Citrus Books

249 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Regency

Source: YouTube Audiobooks

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Miss Emma Arlen’s position as a companion never included distracting her mistress’s suitors, but when a handsome Italian ambassador arrives determined to find an English bride, Emma happily takes up the cause. Emma Arlen has spent a decade as a member of the duke’s family, in the position of companion to his daughter and ward to the duke himself. She would do anything to show her support to the ducal family for their love and kindness. When Lady Josephine begs Emma to distract a most determined Sicilian suitor, she agrees at once. How hard can it be to keep one man entertained for a few weeks?

Luca, the Conte di Atella, left his home in the newly formed Kingdom of the Two Sicilies under the direct orders of King Ferdinand I. Luca’s duty as ambassador to England includes everything from negotiating better trade agreements to strengthening the bonds between the two nations. If possible, by marrying a lady of high birth. When he optimistically sets his sights on Lady Josephine, Miss Arlen consistently disrupts his plans. The more time that passes, the more he realizes he does not mind at all.

Continually in the conte’s company, Emma recognizes in him a spirit of adventure and nobility like she has never witnessed before. When the time comes for him to go, will she be able to part with him and keep her heart intact?

As the second stand-alone novel in a new series by author Sally Britton, this story continues the Clairvoir Castle romances. This is a light-hearted, romantic series set in the Regency period.

I think one of the biggest things I need to mention upfront is that this is the second in a series that Sally Britton has dubbed a light-hearted regency romance series. This means no major, dark conflicts, plots, or twists. While each story does have conflict to overcome, nothing is too heavy or extreme. Personally, sometimes I find that I need something light-hearted like this. And I enjoyed A Companion for the Count even more than book 1, Mr. Gardiner and the Governess.

As the description states, the Duke is set to entertain a Sicilian Ambassador to strengthen the political alliance between the two countries. The Duke has hinted to Josephine that she needs to be particularly polite while hosting this guest. Josephine balks at the idea that he is encouraging her to consider Luca as a potential suitor. Josephine is determined that she is not interested in getting married any time soon. She begs Emma to distract Luca as often as possible to keep his attention away from herself. Emma doesn't mind being of service to her friend in this way.

Having grown up in the ducal family as she has, Emma has been exposed to politics and finds it interesting. Josephine, on the other hand, couldn't care less. Emma and Luca initially have a meeting of the minds over books. They come to find that they enjoy the same types of literature. Emma wants to warn the ambassador away from his pursuit of Josephine like Josephine has requested. But he is persistent that he must marry in an alliance that will strengthen the two countries. Josephine is a perfect candidate for that. But he can't seem to draw her attention at all. Emma eventually realizes Luca is a good man and would make a good husband. She becomes swayed into actually giving him advice that she thinks would help draw Josephine's attention to him, but even that backfires. Ultimately, she realizes she can no longer help Luca pursue Josephine because she has feelings for him.

Luca is almost instantly more drawn toward Emma than Josephine. But a paid companion is not the strong marriage prospect that his country is seeking for him to make to strengthen their political alliances. He is unaware that Josephine isn't so much a paid companion for Josephine as she is a ward of the Duke and a member of their family. And Emma actually possesses the qualities an ambassador's wife would need, such as attention paid to other political players and an actual interest in politics.

A Companion for the Count easily topped my opinion of Mr. Gardiner and the Governess. I liked both main characters. I needed something light-hearted and happy. And I'm even more excited to get to Josephine and Andrew's book due to their banter. A Companion for the Count gets 4 Stars. Have you read (or listened to) A Companion for the Count? What did you think? Let me know!

Mr. Gardiner and the Governess - Review

Mr. Gardiner and the Governess (Clairvoir Castle Romances, # 1)

By: Sally Britton

Publication: November 25th 2020 by Pink Citrus Books

228 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Regency

Source: YouTube Audiobooks

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--A duke’s governess, a gentleman entomologist, and a castle full of flowers is the perfect setting for a summer romance. As the new governess to the duke's family, Alice Sharpe must learn to control her impulsiveness. Employment in the duke’s household is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and could mean living in comfort the rest of her days. Unfortunately, her first encounter with the duke's houseguest, a handsome gentleman obsessed with insects, proves she may not be ready for the austere role of governess.

Rupert Gardiner has one goal: to have his work in entomology and botany published by the Royal Society. He is fortunate that the Duke of Montfort, believes in him and enlists Rupert to make a record of all the flora on the castle grounds. But Miss Sharpe’s spontaneity and continual appearance during his work is an annoying distraction. At least, that’s what he tells himself.

While Alice struggles to adapt to her new role, constantly striving to go unnoticed while still being herself, she cannot help but admire Rupert’s intelligence and focus. The more often they fall in together, the more her admiration deepens. But could a gentleman such as he ever fall in love with the governess?

As the first stand-alone novel in a new series by author Sally Britton, this story begins the Clairvoir Castle romances. This is a light-hearted series set in the Regency period.

Can you guys even imagine how stoked I was to find Sally Britton has full audiobooks on YouTube for FREE? I don't have a ton of time to listen to audiobooks, but you know what, sometimes you make time for free books. Another thing I wanted to mention before I really get into the review of this book is that Sally Britton had an author's note at the end that talked about how she struggled (like many of us) through the pandemic, and for her own mental well-being she created this, I believe she said, "light-hearted" book series. Clean, low-drama romance. And you know what? Sometimes that's exactly what I need. Sometimes I just don't need extra conflict or plot. Sometimes the difficulty to go from single to together is hard enough on its own. And sometimes I just need to read a book that's going to make me smile.

Alice is unwanted among her family members. She is too pretty and distracts potential suitors from the daughters of her relations. And for the most part, she has been cast from one relative to another for many years. Ultimately, she ends up being the governess to the children of the Duke and Duchess of Montfort. Upon taking the position, the Duchess and the Dowager Duchess discuss what's expected of her, and in no uncertain terms is she supposed to go about searching for or being involved in any romance. Alice is terrified of losing her position because where would she go now that her relations are so thoroughly tired of her imposing upon them. So she endeavors to toe the line exactly and not step one foot over.

Rupert Gardiner has been commissioned by the Duke to catalog all the plants and insects at Castle Clairvoir's grounds. He is also a personal friend of the Duke. Rupert stumbles upon Alice's artwork of the local plants and he determines that she must work with him on his project since he doesn't care as much about the plants as he does the insects. Having never grown up unwanted, or really particularly ever been unwanted, Rupert couldn't possibly understand why Alice wouldn't want to take part in his scientific research if it allows her to have her name listed in scientific journals alongside his. And, of course, he quickly comes to realize that there is much about Alice to draw him to her.

As I already said, there isn't much conflict or drama to overcome. Maybe some might look at this as a fluff piece. And maybe it is. But I actually enjoyed that there weren't terribly high circumstances to overcome for these two to find love. Of course, that doesn't mean that there's no conflict to overcome because that would be exceedingly boring.

I enjoyed Mr. Gardiner and the Governess. It was the perfect, happy book to listen to as I was doing the majority of the food prep, decorating, and last-minute cleaning for my son's birthday party. Alice and Rupert were both quite different from me, but I was happy to root for them, and I enjoyed their journey to happiness. Mr. Gardiner and the Governess gets 4 Stars. Have you read (or listened to) Mr. Gardiner and the Governess? What did you think? Let me know!