SERIES SPOTLIGHT ON: THE THOMPSONS OF LOCUST STREET by HOLLY BUSH

For those of you who don't know this prolific author, Holly Bush is not only one of my favorite authors and people, but she is from Pennsylvania and writes so eloquently about her state and her surroundings from a historical standpoint. Holly grabbed me years ago with her epic and touching  romance,  Train Station Bride and the Post Civil War romance, Reconstructing Jackson, and I have been happily  reading ever since. 

Now I have to be honest and let the readers know that it had been over a year that I had read anything in the Historical Romance genre. I had been burned out by the genre and also had just come off of executing my Romancing the Gold Coast event and needed a big break. Thankfully, after picking up The Captain's Woman, the fourth book in the Thompson's of Locust Street series, I am back. After finishing this book, I went back and binged the entire series again and I now consider myself an honorary Thompson. 

The Thompson's of Locust Street series revolves around a Scottish immigrant family who fled their homeland when danger ensued, leaving the family in imminent danger. With the family settling in Philadelphia, this series follows the siblings as many find their soulmates and start their own little families, but also try to protect each other from the danger that has followed them from Scotland. These stories show the depth of feelings the family has for one another and that family matters above all else.

Holly Bush begins the Thompsons of Locust Street series with The Bachelor's Bride and Elspeth Thompson's foray into the Philadelphia high society. Elspeth meets Alexander Pendergast rather unconventionally in an incident in front of a brothel. Alexander works for a local politician who has some interesting hobbies. Alexander is also heir to his family's textile mill and has everything going for him. 

For this review, I am using one of my Book Obsessed Chicks Book Club members and dear friend, Joann Maggio's review because it says it all!

The Bachelor’s Bride ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
By Holly Bush

I have read everyone of Ms Bush’s books. She never disappoints. Her characters are real life and absorb you into the pages of the story.

Her particular era is after the Civil War. It is packed full of much of our country history. This is a beautiful story about the Thompson family with all its quirkiness and devotion.

Elspeth Thompson the middle sibling wants to stand on her own. She finds the family so overprotective and not knowing the underlying reason makes her rebel more. But danger does lurk for all of them. A chance meeting with Alexander Pendergast sets all their worries in motion.

Alexander realizes what danger he has brought to this family and has a deep fondness for Elspeth. When she is in terrible danger her strength keeps her until she is saved. Although both are from two different backgrounds Society vs working class they come together.

This book is a little different from what Ms Bush usually write very gripping and spot on. I would unequivocally recommend this story.

 Reviewed by Joann Maggio

The second in this series is the exciting story of James Thompson, the local bareknuckle boxing champion. James is a formidable character who is confident as well as thickheaded. This man loves his family and puts them above all else. When he meets society belle, Lucinda Vermeal who is headstrong in her own right. Her father feels that no one is good enough for his daughter unless he has a society pedigree and comes from money. Lucinda whoever could care less for that, she is looking for substance and excitement, someone to set her soul on fire. When she meets James, sparks fly and the battle of wits ensues with these amazing people.

I LOVE this book! James and Lucinda are the perfect pair of opposites that give this story sizzle. Here we get an inside look into James' boxing career and the dangers that come along with it as well as Lucinda's fear for James and his wellbeing. We see the normally confident James have doubts about being deserving enough of a woman such as Lucinda. 

Please read The Bareknuckle Groom, you won't be disappointed!

Kimberly

Talkative and dramatic Kirsty Thompson is next, and the adventure she falls into makes for one great story. The youngest of the Thompson sisters, Kirsty wants to start her own business in importing wool from Scotland and have her own storefront to manufacture and sell items made from the wool. Kirsty devises a plan to try to talk her brother-in-law Alexander's friend, Albert Watson into escorting her and a companion on his travels to England so she can meet with some of the wool importers that she has been in communication with. Now Albert Watson is a medical doctor who is invited to speak on many aspects of research he is involved in and is on his way to London to lecture. Unfortunately or not, his plans change when Kirsty Thompson accidently stows away on the boat sailing for New York and Albert steps in to save her. 

Albert and Kirsty couldn't be more different but it's just something that they see in each other that makes this story so endearing and genuine. Right off the bat, Kirsty finds herself in danger from the family secrets and Albert comes to the rescue time after time. Once back home on Locust Street, Kirsty has her family demanding her honor be saved by Albert doing the right thing and making Kirsty his wife. Kirsty has other plans in the interim and even though Albert is what she thinks she wants, so many things need to be considered, especially when Kirsty meets Albert's evil mother and has to contend with the woman's obvious loathing of Kirsty. In addition to that evident disdain, Albert makes excuses for his mother's behavior and a wedge develops between he and Kirsty.

This third tale in the Thompsons of Locust Street is a compelling story and a wonderful view into Kirsty and Albert's journey to happiness. 

Kimberly 

The fourth installment in the continuing Thompsons of Locust Street series is Muireall's story, The Captain's Woman, which made my heart sing. Thirty-something Muireall Thompson has sacrificed her life to keep and protect her siblings, Aunt and household. The demise of her parents on the voyage from Scotland left Muireall the head of the family at only a child's age herself. The wit and determination inherited from her parents make this woman not only a formidable match for anyone looking to hurt her family, but a fierce protector of those in need. 

Muireall has watched her siblings grow and spread their wings, find true love and go off to form their own families. She is devoted still to her family and to the local Catholic orphanage where she regularly dedicates her time and energy. Here at the orphanage Muireall has become attached to little Ann Marcus, who's father, Anthony, a former army captain during the war, regularly leaves Ann at the orphanage while he seeks out work to build a home and hearth for he and his daughter. All Muireall wants to do is help Ann and in turn Anthony, but she is met with his resistance, calling it charity, something he doesn't want. Muireall however is determined to show Anthony that sometimes accepting help is beneficial to all involved. The more time they spend around one another and caring for Ann's needs, the closer these star-crossed lovers come. 

Of course, it wouldn't be a Holly Bush tale without a wrench thrown into the wind, but you are just going to have to read The Captain's Woman to find out how this ends...

Kimberly

I hope you have enjoyed this series spotlight on Holly Bush's 

THE THOMPSON OF LOCUST STREET 

series.  It is a great ride to take and it's not finished yet...

Note to Holly.... I am impatiently waiting for Payden's story! 

Review: In the Dark With the Duke (Lost Lords of London Book 2) by Christi Caldwell

In the Dark With the Duke is the second book in Christi Caldwell's Lost Lords of London series. This wonderfully woven tale pairs Lady Lila March, who suffered greatly during the tragedy at Peterloo, and street fighter/Lost Lord, Hugh Savage. 

Both characters, deeply scarred, attempt to heal each other in unconventional ways. Both Hugh and Lila transform each other's lives in ways that only can be imagined by delving into this dark to light tale. 

In the Dark With the Duke by Christi Caldwell, is yet another triumph to her credit. A fan of darker romance, this story sated my appetite for the dark along with the build up to an perfect HEA. 

~KIMBERLY~

To Hold a Lady’s Secret by Christi Caldwell

The mistake that Lady Gillian Farendale made by attending a notorious masquerade, has finally caught up with her. Now her unfeeling parents want her to make things right, but doing that would destroy her spirit.

Gillian seeks out her childhood best friend, Colin Lockhart, one if the numerous  bastard sons of the Duke of Ravenscourt, for help. She is praying that the promise they made as children would finally be able to be fulfilled. When Colin, now a struggling private investigator in London is reunited with Gillian, things don’t exactly work out how Gillian thought they would and she is disheartened as well as desperate. 

As soon as Colin sends Gillian away, he regrets it. His past with her comes rushing back and he realizes that she still means more to him than is prudent for a Lady and a bastard.  Her desperation brings him to action and neither of their lives will ever be the same. 

Lady Gillian Farendale is one of my favorite of author Christi Caldwell’s heroines. She is matter of fact, she doesn’t blame anyone for her actions and take complete responsibility for decisions she has made, good or bad.  Despite the crime that was committed against her, she is strong and resilient and deserving of a bright future with a caring man. The one man she has been on her mind since she was a young girl getting into mischief, Colin Lockhart 

Colin Lockhart has been on his own since his banishment from the Farendale lands, caring for his sister and mother. Discovered on the streets by a brother, another bastard son, Colin picks himself up and sets out to create a new life for himself as a private investigator. He is consumed with his business and until Gillian reappears in his life, he is rather solitary in his existence, keeping a small circle of a few of the brothers and his beloved sister. He is considered to be common if not below that for being a bastard, but has more integrity, compassion and honor than any man in the ton. 

To Hold a Lady’s Secret is one of my favorite Christi Caldwell books to date. While some of the subject matter is not an easy one, the story is superb and getting to that prefect ending is just a marvel. This story is meaningful and compassionate and will stay with me for quite a while. Bravo Ms. Caldwell…

~KIMBERLY~

BETH WILLIAMSON DEVILS ON HORSEBACK REBOOT

Happiness is one of my favorite series getting a fabulous reboot and new release! Get a look at these sizzling new covers for author, Beth Williamson's DEVILS ON HORSEBACK series. 

If you have never read this exciting series, don't miss out on it now!

Devils on Horseback Book 1   NATE

Amidst the post-war chaos that rains down around them, a controlling man and a desperate woman must choose between life and love.

Nate Marchand grew up as the only son of the town drunk. As a Confederate soldier, he found that order in the chaos was the only thing that kept him sane. Numbers, information, keeping everything in its proper place became second nature. The chaos of the war and its aftermath sent him into a rigid state that he couldn’t seem to overcome.

He and his friends, nicknamed Devils on Horseback, leave behind the aftermath of war to start fresh in the west. Their new business venture flounders and desperation drives them to take whatever work they can.

The Devils are hired to remove the Taggert family from land claimed by Samuel O’Shea, the largest landowner in Grayton, Texas. When he meets Elisa Taggert, his entire world shifts beneath him. Attracted, bewildered, and off-kilter, Nate ignores his conscience in favor of his wallet.

The simple task of removing a woman, a boy, and an old man, along with a small herd of cattle, resembles a Medieval siege. Nate wrestles with what he knows is right with what he must do. Will his love for Elisa overcome his need for survival?

Devils on Horseback Book 2    JAKE

Haunted by war, a thief finds salvation in the arms of an angel.

On the surface, Jake Sheridan is an easygoing man whose problems roll off him like water off a duck’s back. Truth is, Jake holds so many past demons inside him, he daren’t let them out for fear he’ll never get them all back in.

He and the Devils are hired to help rebuild a town ransacked by marauders. Everywhere they turn, they encounter secrets—enough secrets to turn the town to dust if they don’t uncover the truth.

Only one person in town isn’t glad to see them: Gabrielle Rinaldi, the miller’s daughter. A strong and independent woman who is used to being disrespected for speaking her mind, she makes no secret that she doesn’t believe hired guns are the answer to the town’s woes. Yet she finds herself drawn to the enigmatic and charming Jake.

In spite of himself, Jake falls hard and fast for Gabby. But she’s wary of handing her heart to a man who lives by his guns.

When tragedy strikes, Jake and Gabby must fight to find a way to save the town—and their hearts.

Devils on Horseback Book 3    ZEKE

A cool man, a fiery woman, a love destined to ignite.

Intense, reserved and known for his strategic thinking, Zeke Blackwood has struggled to find his place in the post-war world. After the violent death of the first woman to capture his heart, Zeke retreats into a whisky bottle—until he’s handed the position of town sheriff.

Zeke sobers up and tries his damnedest to be the best lawman he can be. He hadn’t counted on the tempting new saloon girl to jeopardize his cold, unhappy existence.

Naomi Tucker is a survivor, a woman who made it through the war on her own wit and strength. She hoped moving to Tanger, Texas would bring her the peace and stability she yearns to find. Instead she runs head-on into a cool-eyed sheriff who welcomes her to his bed, only to push her away.

The wildness of the West is far from tamed. It threatens the town’s efforts to rebuild, Zeke’s bond with the Devils—and his fragile relationship with Naomi. As Zeke’s hold on sobriety slips, he and Naomi must choose between settling for half a life apart, or embracing all they could be. Together.

Devils on Horseback Book 4     LEE

When anger and tenacity collide, sparks are inevitable.

The Civil War took more than Lee Blackwood’s arm. It took his confidence, his pride…and hope that any woman will see him as more than half a man. His friendships helped keep the demons at bay—until now. As each Devil has found happiness, Lee is left alone to cope with the darkness that claws at his soul.

Genevieve Blanchard has only one thing going for her: her no-good late husband’s run-down farm. That, and a fancy name no one can spell might get her a cup full of dirt in Tanger. Room, board and seamstress skills aren’t much, but it’s all she can offer any man willing to help her bring in her wheat crop.

Reluctantly Lee takes on the job, enduring the widow’s smart-mouthed daughter and his growing attraction to a woman who stubbornly refuses to see him as anything less than whole. Slowly, his bitterness begins to fade under the light of their blooming love.

Then the truth of her past threatens to rip away everything: her farm, her child—and the man she loves. But this time, there’s a line of Devils between her and looming disaster.

Devils on Horseback Book 5     GIDEON

Handing over the reins is hard. Handing over his heart…damn near impossible.

Gideon Blackwood is on the run—from Tanger’s meddling matchmakers. With no intention of following the rest of the Devils down the aisle, he heads for the hills to reassess a life spent leading and caring for others…and runs smack into the business end of a shotgun. At the trigger: a curmudgeonly woman with a broken axle and a load of responsibility.

In Chloe Ruskin’s experience, men take what they want and leave a mess of trouble behind. The safety of two orphans and her granny is at stake, and the last thing she needs is Gideon’s “help”. This time, though, she has no choice but to allow the big cowboy to fix her wagon.

As they work into the night, grudging admiration grows into attraction—and desire. Gideon finds he can’t dig his boot heels in hard enough to avoid falling for the opinionated little female.

When Chloe’s family disappears, her suspicion threatens to destroy any spark of love before it catches fire. Gideon finds himself making promises his pride won’t let him break—even if it costs him the love of the woman who owns the missing half of his soul.