Thursday, July 19, 2018

Goddess Fish Promotions Book Review: The Mistress of Pennington's




The Mistress of Pennington's
by Rachel Brimble

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GENRE: Saga/Romance

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BLURB:

Elizabeth Pennington should be the rightful heir of Bath's premier department store through her enterprising schemes and dogged hard work. Her father, Edward Pennington, believes his daughter lacks the business acumen to run his empire and is resolute a man will succeed him.


Determined to break from her father's iron-clad hold and prove she is worthy of inheriting the store, Elizabeth forms an unlikely alliance with ambitious and charismatic master glove-maker Joseph Carter. United they forge forward to bring Pennington's into a new decade, embracing woman's equality and progression whilst trying not to mix business and pleasure.


Can this dream team thwart Edward Pennington's plans for the store? Or will Edward prove himself an unshakeable force who will ultimately ruin both Elizabeth and Joseph?

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Excerpt:

Her gentle study drifted to his mouth and back again. ‘Did you love her? The woman you once worked with?’

Joseph stared, as disquiet whispered through him. ‘Why do you ask?’

I find it implausible that a man who holds women in such high regard has not known what it means to love one. You have been in love. I see it in your eyes. Unfortunately for you, they’re very revealing.’

He ran his gaze over her face and hair. Every sound muted. The amber glow of the few lit candles danced over her skin, turning it pearlescent. ‘I was married. To a wonderful, caring woman. A woman who worked beside my father and I every day after we were married.’

Her voice softened. ‘What happened to her?’

She died.’ He would tell her no more, the shame of his failure burned like acid in his chest and he quickly stood, wanting the intensity to ease, her justified scrutiny to end. ‘Will you try on a pair of gloves?’

He brushed past her and breathed deep as he approached a box of his finished gloves. Lifting a pair of soft kid, perfectly stitched and the exact green of her eyes, the pale cream stitching the colour of her skin.

When he turned and walked back to his bench, she had sat in his seat. She carefully watched his approach, her eyes unreadable.



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Review: Rachel Brimble is one of my favorite authors. I love her books for Harlequin Superromace, but her historical romances are even better.

This book is set in the early part of the 20th century. Its the Downton Abbey era, which is a time period that I've been reading a lot about lately. Its an era of women's suffrage. This is touched on in this book, but not as much as I thought it would be, more so was the plight of the woman trying to make her way in the world.

Women didn't have the opportunities that they have now and its wonderful to see strong women like Elizabeth making their way in a man's world and fighting to do just that. Elizabeth's father owns the department store in Bath and doesn't feel Elizabeth has what it takes to run the business. He wants a man to succeed him even though Elizabeth definitely has what it takes to take over the reigns.

The attitudes will make a modern women cringe, but it is what is in that time period. Elizabeth's father however will make you want to throw things. There is nothing nice or kind or good or even fatherly about this man. He is totally detestable.

I love the relationship between Elizabeth and Joseph. Both are totally driven in their careers and both are broken emotionally. Elizabeth from the lack of love she received at home and from her fear of having a man try to control her. Joseph is still dealing with the murder of his wife that he feels responsible for.

On top of that, they have a slow burn romance going on and they also work well together. This book really brings the department store to life. It actually made me almost miss my days working in a store after college.

This was a fabulous read and if you love learning about department store and this time period. This is a book not to be missed.

Rating: 5 flowers





AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Rachel lives with her husband and two teenage daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK. Since 2007, she has had several novels published by small US presses, eight books published by Harlequin Superromance (Templeton Cove Stories) and four Victorian romances with eKensington/Lyrical.

In January 2018, she signed a four-book deal with Aria Fiction for a brand new Edwardian series set in Bath’s finest department store. The first book, The Mistress of Pennington’s, will release in July 2018.

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America, and was selected to mentor the Superromance finalist of So You Think You Can Write 2014 contest. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England.

She likes nothing more than connecting and chatting with her readers and fellow romance writers. Rachel would love to hear from you!
Links:


Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/Rachel-Brimble/e/B007829ZRM/

Goodreads:


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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Rachel Brimble will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

RAFFLECOPTER CODE:




5 comments:

Goddess Fish Promotions said...

Thanks for hosting!

James Robert said...

I appreciate getting to read about another great book since I have so many big readers in my family. Thank you and also I appreciate the giveaway and opportunity to win

Unknown said...

I enjoyed getting to know your book and thanks for the chance to win :)

Rita Wray said...

Sounds like a good book.

Victoria Alexander said...

Great review, sounds like a good book!

 
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