I've been a Stacy Henrie fan ever since I read her Of Love and War series (Hope at Dawn, Hope Rising, and A Hope Remembered). Since then she's continued to deliver sweet, inspiring stories. I absolutely love the cover and premise of her newest! Below, you'll find my review and a giveaway...
Night at the OperaBy Stacy Henrie
Christian Historical Romance
Paperback & ebook, 276 Pages
October 16th 2018 by Mirror Press
Summary
From USA Today bestselling author Stacy Henrie, comes NIGHT AT THE OPERA, an American Heiress Novel.
NIGHT AT THE OPERA
(1908)
When American heiress Gwen Barton aids an injured gentleman in an opera box in London, she shares a kiss with the stranger that changes her life. More determined than ever to be herself, in spite of the limp she’s sustained since childhood, she will marry for love and not a title. She also resolves to learn the identity of the man she helped—and kissed. Surely he can’t be the irritating Avery Winfield, though. But as circumstances continue to throw Gwen and Avery together, she begins to wonder if there is more to this man than she first thought.
While most of London only knows him as the nephew of a duke, Avery Winfield is actually working for the Secret Service Bureau to ferret out German spies from among the ton. It’s a profession that gives him purpose and a reason to remain a bachelor. But the more he interacts with Gwen Barton, an heiress from America, the more he begins to question his plans and neglected faith. Then he learns Gwen is the young lady from the opera box who helped him. Now his most important mission may have nothing to do with saving Britain from danger and everything to do with risking his heart for the woman he met that night at the opera.
AMERICAN HEIRESS SERIES:
Night at the Opera
Beneath an Italian Sky (April 2019)
Among Sand and Sunrise (October 2019)
My Review
NIGHT AT THE OPERA is an inspiring story of the struggles of life, choosing to not hide who you are, and the faith that carries one through. Inspirational romance readers will fall in love with the characters and a story that tugs on the heart. Definitely a story worth the read!
I really loved these characters! Gwen has lived with an injury from her childhood that permanently left her with a limp and pain. It's something that is not completely accepted by the New York society she is a member of. It's also something that has given her great compassion for others, particularly children, with similar injuries. She has traditional parents who want to see her taken care of through marriage, but don't necessarily see love as a necessity of that marriage. They also support her to an extent, but want her to try to hide her injury and be more demure in society instead of being herself. She loves her parents, so she's a bit conflicted by their wishes, her own, and her struggle with trusting in God. Avery is someone who hides himself on purpose as an agent of the crown. He also was injured as a child, but not physically. He has walled off his heart. His uncle wishes for him to also make a match, but not for status or to be physically cared for. On the contrary, his uncle wishes him to have love and companionship. The contrasts between him and Gwen, but in different ways, made for an interesting comparison. They are very well-drawn characters with good hearts and so easy to like.
The plot is intriguing with quite a few things going on. Gwen is trying to aid an orphanage back home and also find if anything can be done for her prior injury. She's also trying to find love, but is reserved to not marrying. Avery is seeking a German spy while also trying to be the heir his family needs. Gwen's faith is fairly strong, while Avery has closed his heart to God. They really aren't looking to fall in love, or at least don't believe it will happen, and then they meet one night at the opera... it's the catalyst that nudges their hearts open just a little and allows for the possibility of more. I loved their interactions and the chemistry between them. I also enjoyed the inspirational parts as well. There were a few things that felt a little too unrealistic or too perfectly tied off, but otherwise the story flowed well.
In the end, was it what I wished for? This was a sweet, inspiring, and entertaining read. I loved the romance, the suspense elements, and the way these characters' hearts were opened to each other and to God.
Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the author's publicist, which did not require a positive review nor affect it in any way.
About the Author
USA Today bestselling author Stacy Henrie is the author of western romances and the Of Love and War series, which includes Hope at Dawn, a 2015 RITA Award finalist for excellence in romance. She was born and raised in the West, where she currently resides with her family. She enjoys reading, road trips, interior decorating, chocolate, and most of all, laughing with her husband and kids.
Tour Schedule
Oct. 15 - Books are Sanity / Heidi Reads
Oct. 16 - Literary Time Out / Why Not? Because I Said So
Oct. 17 - Min Reads and Reviews / The Bibliophile Files
Oct. 18 - Katie’s Clean Book Collection / Getting Your Read On / My Book a Day
Oct. 19 - Singing Librarian Books / Wishful Endings
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