I love finding new must-read authors! How about you? Today’s TTT list features those whose books I read for the first time in 2024. I hope you find a new one too!
Happy Tuesday! Today’s TTT topic is — Planes, Trains & Automobiles/Books Featuring Travel (books whose plots involve travel or feature modes of transportation on the cover/title). My list consists of books with Cool Rides. The mode of transportation that the MCs choose advances the plot and helps define the character. Not all are really cool (one character takes the bus), but I promise that all the books are fun reads.
Happy Tuesday! Today’s TTT topic is Debut Novels. The books on my list really hit it out of the park! No way could they be first offerings by the authors, but they were. And the good news is that many of the authors on the list have other books to read when you finish their first. Hope you find one to love!
I am so excited to present to you the debut novel by Angela Bell, A Lady’s Guide to Marvels And Misadventure. This book is termed a whimsical Victorian, and draws its inspiration from Jules Verne and The Nutcracker. Bell captures the Victorian era and has a wonderful grumpy and sunshine duo in Clara and Theodore. You do not want to miss this fun historical novel!
Miss Clara Marie Stanton’s family may be eccentric, but they certainly aren’t insane.
London, England, 1860 When Clara’s ex-fiancé begins to spread rumors that her family suffers from hereditary insanity, it’s all she can do to protect them from his desperate schemes, society’s prejudice, and a lifetime in an asylum. Then Clara’s Grandfather Drosselmeyer brings on an apprentice with a mechanical leg, and all pretense of normalcy takes wing.
Theodore Kingsley, a shame-chased vagabond haunted by the war, wants a fresh start far from Kingsley Court and the disappointed father who declared him dead. Upon returning to England, Theodore meets clockmaker Drosselmeyer, who hires him as an apprentice, much to Clara’s dismay. When Drosselmeyer spontaneously disappears in his secret flying owl machine, he leaves behind a note for Clara, beseeching her to make her dreams of adventure a reality by joining him on a merry scavenger hunt across Europe. Together, Clara and Theodore set off to follow Drosselmeyer’s trail of clues, but they will have to stay one step ahead of a villain who wants the flying machine for himself–at any cost.
Angela Bell is a twenty-first-century lady with nineteenth-century sensibilities. 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 modern-day hustle, you’re welcome to visit her parlor at AuthorAngelaBell.com, where she can be found waiting with a pot of tea and a great book.
My Impressions:
A Lady’s Guide to Marvels And Misadventure gives a nod to several literary treasures, including The Nutcracker, Around The World in Eighty Days, and Heidi. But this debut by Angela Bell is no knock-off! With its steampunk vibe, fabulously fun Victorian settings and whimsy, and charming and colorful characters, this novel is so very good! Clara is burdened by many things, taking her grandfather’s childhood nickname, Little Atlas, to heart as she shoulders the family griefs and scandals. But her grandfather has other plans for her as he sets her on an adventure accompanied by his apprentice Arthur and chaperoned by her mother, the animal-activist Mrs. S. It takes some doing for Clara to lighten up, but she finally embraces the adventure as she solves a treasure hunt across Europe. I loved both main characters — the grumpy Clara and sunshine-y Arthur — as they made their way to each other and towards a God who provides, protects, and keeps His promises. The group travels by boat and train, with stops in fascinating cities all orchestrated by Drosslemeyer to delight and enlighten. It certainly delighted me! I admit to googling places and foods as I sought to immerse myself in this book. A dastardly villain keeps the characters on their toes as well — I gasped along with them. As the raucous romp continues, a strong faith thread is developed. This novel is full of surprises, not the least being the profound truths that made me stop and think about my own journey through life.
Fun and fabulous are two descriptors that fit A Lady’s Guide to Marvels And Misadventure. You are going to want to go along on this ride. I laughed, shed a few tears, and definitely learned a thing or two!
Highly Recommended.
Audience: Adults
(Thanks to the publisher for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
I confess that I use “the Google” when reading. Mostly it occurs when I read historical novels, but it can strike at any time if there is something I just have to know or see. In the past few months I have looked up recipes for food that was mentioned in a book, dresses by a a famous dress designer, buildings/landmarks that books are set in and around, and characters that lived in real life. Sometimes I can stray down rabbit trails, but I eventually return to the book until another Google-fancy hits me. This week I am featuring the last 10 books that caused me to Google. I hope one piques your interest.
Happy Friday! How about a rollicking historical romance/adventure novel to start your weekend off right? I believe you will find all that and more in A Lady’s Guide to Marvels And Misadventure by debut author Angela Bell. Dubbed as a whimsical Victorian romance, it’s a fun reading romp!
Here’s the first line:
For Miss Clara Marie Stanton, the task of preventing her family from being committed to an asylum had become as commonplace as it was exhausting.
Miss Clara Marie Stanton’s family may be eccentric, but they certainly aren’t insane.
London, England, 1860 When Clara’s ex-fiancé begins to spread rumors that her family suffers from hereditary insanity, it’s all she can do to protect them from his desperate schemes, society’s prejudice, and a lifetime in an asylum. Then Clara’s Grandfather Drosselmeyer brings on an apprentice with a mechanical leg, and all pretense of normalcy takes wing.
Theodore Kingsley, a shame-chased vagabond haunted by the war, wants a fresh start far from Kingsley Court and the disappointed father who declared him dead. Upon returning to England, Theodore meets clockmaker Drosselmeyer, who hires him as an apprentice, much to Clara’s dismay. When Drosselmeyer spontaneously disappears in his secret flying owl machine, he leaves behind a note for Clara, beseeching her to make her dreams of adventure a reality by joining him on a merry scavenger hunt across Europe. Together, Clara and Theodore set off to follow Drosselmeyer’s trail of clues, but they will have to stay one step ahead of a villain who wants the flying machine for himself–at any cost.
Angela Bell is a twenty-first-century lady with nineteenth-century sensibilities. 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 modern-day hustle, you’re welcome to visit her parlor at AuthorAngelaBell.com, where she can be found waiting with a pot of tea and a great book.
Happy Tuesday! I hope Santa brought you a whole sleigh full of books and bookish goodies! I am writing this several days ahead, but I can almost guarantee that I did not get any books. And not because I was naughty! 😉 My family just thinks I have enough books, already. LOL! They could be right.
Today I am sharing the most recent additions to my NetGalley shelf. I am hoping to get some of them knocked out over the holiday.
Today I’m excited to share the cover reveal for A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure by AngelaBell, releasing from Bethany House Fiction on February 27, 2024! This historical romance novel, inspired by Around the World in 80 Days and The Nutcracker ballet, is available for pre-order today!
When Clara Marie Stanton’s ex-fiancé begins to spread rumors that her family suffers from hereditary insanity, it’s all Clara can do to protect them from his desperate schemes and society’s prejudice. Her family may be eccentric, yes, but they certainly aren’t insane. Then Clara’s Grandfather Drosselmeyer brings on an apprentice with a mechanical leg, and all pretense of normalcy takes wing.
Theodore Kingsley, a shame-chased vagabond skilled in repairing clocks, wants a fresh start far from Kingsley Court and the disappointed father who declared him dead. Upon returning to England, Theodore meets clockmaker Drosselmeyer, who hires him as an apprentice, much to Clara’s dismay. When Drosselmeyer spontaneously disappears in his secret flying owl machine, he leaves behind a note for Clara, beseeching her to make her dreams of adventure a reality by joining him on a merry scavenger hunt. Together, Clara and Theodore set off to follow Drosselmeyer’s trail of clues, but they will have to stay one step ahead of a villain who wants the flying machine for himself–at any cost.
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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