I am not usually fond of too many historical books, but The Pink Carnation series by Lauren Willig is fun on many different levels. It mixes a present day story with a historical back story and then throws in a bit of romance and intrigue. It is a wonderful mixture. I have reviewed a previous book in the series that you can read about here and so I was happy to receive the next part of the story for review today.

Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla: A Pink Carnation Novel
by Lauren Willig
Series: Pink Carnation (Book 11)
Publisher: NAL Trade
Publication Date: August 5, 2014
ISBN-13: 978-0451414731

Synopsis: In October of 1806, the Little Season is in full swing, and Sally Fitzhugh has had enough of the endless parties and balls. With a rampant vampire craze sparked by the novel The Convent of Orsino, it seems no one can speak of anything else. But when Sally hears a rumor that the reclusive Duke of Belliston is an actual vampire, she cannot resist the challenge of proving such nonsense false. At a ball in Belliston Square, she ventures across the gardens and encounters the mysterious Duke.

Lucien, Duke of Belliston, is well versed in the trouble gossip can bring. He’s returned home to dispel the rumors of scandal surrounding his parents’ deaths, which hint at everything from treason to dark sorcery. While he searches for the truth, he welcomes his fearsome reputation—until a woman is found dead in Richmond. Her blood drained from her throat.

Lucien and Sally join forces to stop the so-called vampire from killing again. Someone managed to get away with killing the last Duke of Belliston. But they won’t kill this duke—not if Sally has anything to say about it.

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My Thoughts: I love a well thought story that adds many different aspects to suck you in and leave you wanting more. This book is a perfect read for those of you that love a little of everything. Romance, mystery, intrigue, history, humor, and more. This book even grabs on to the vampire stories that are popular today, but in a believable and mysterious way.

This book is the 11th in The Pink Carnation series, a line of stories that has its roots in the 1800’s Europe, complete with spies and espionage – from a women’s standpoint. The author has a great imagination and is a marvel at bringing together a story that crosses from today into two centuries ago. Not an easy task but a pleasurable one.

This book was written a bit differently than the last book with the bulk of the story being more about finding the killer(s) and some flashes into the present where this story is actually becoming a college dissertation piece. It is a unique style of story and really keeps you on your toes. The author does a great job with the storyline and there is never a dull moment!

For a read that will keep all of your senses going, check out this new one by Lauren Willig. Easy, flowing and fun!

Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free product to try out so she could evaluate and use it for her review. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.

I love reading women’s lit especially when it is written by English authors. I really enjoy their sense of dry wit even in the face of angst and drama. The book I read for review this week is by a well known author of several women’s fiction novels and she is making a mark in the literary world with her humorous take on life’s drama.

Best Supporting Role by Sue Margolis
ISBN-13: 9780451240132
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Publication date: 7/1/2014

Synopsis: Sue Margolis’s “sexy British romp[s]” (USA Today) have captivated readers who enjoy an “irreverent, sharp-witted look at love and dating” (Houston Chronicle). Now she returns with a novel about a suddenly single mom whose life needs a lift.

When her gambling addict husband died, Sarah Green was left penniless—and with two children to raise. Since then, she’s been desperate to keep her professional and personal lives on firm financial footing. And what could be safer than dating an accountant and working at a non-emergency crime help line?

But then Sarah’s aunt dies, leaving Sarah her once famous—now flailing—lingerie shop. With her fashion background, Sarah reluctantly decides to make a go of it, even if that means breaking up with her too-prudent boyfriend over the risk.

Suddenly Sarah finds herself falling for Hugh, the handsome struggling actor she hired to renovate her new boutique, and entering a prestigious lingerie competition. Taking chances has never been her forte, but the built-in support of family and friends could give her the boost she’s been looking for….

My Thoughts: When this book first started out, I was expecting that this book was going to be more of a drama and not a light women’s read. As you are first introduced to Sarah and her husband, all is not right with the world and they are dealing with major crisis’s. Sarah is having to make major decision’s in her life and then her husband passes away unexpectedly, leaving her in a huge mess. I could really relate to her issues and felt her pain.

Things soon lightened up a bit and we were experiencing changes and following Sarah down new paths. Scared and afraid to take risks, Sarah had huge problems that she had to deal with and her so called friends were self serving and did not understand. Leaning on her parents and a new friend, she started towards a new and improved life, men and a new business – all a big roller coaster ride.

The first few chapters were difficult in many ways for me reading through the drama and problems that the character had to deal with. I know many of her fears and I was hoping that the entire book was not going to be written in that strain. Thankfully, as Sarah got on her feet and started making changes, so did her views and the humor of the situation started to show in many areas. Her new neighbor has a wild job which added some levity and strength to the book, allowing Sarah to opened up and become who she needed to be too. A Strong mother, a good friend, a business owner and more. It was fun watching Sarah grow through each stage and become the women she always wanted to be.

Overall the book was a great read. The beginning had me struggling for a bit but is quickly geared up as the main character started coming into her own. I love the authors fun sense of humor and views of motherhood and life, as only a British woman could write it. Plenty of smiles and grins in this book and a storybook ending. This is a fun summer read that you should check out.

Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free product to try out so she could evaluate and use it for her review. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.