A Sapphire Season: A Novel - eBook

Lynn Morris in her new book, A Sapphire Season published by FaithWords brings us into the life of Lady Mirabella Tirel.

From the back cover: Lynn Morris, bestselling author of The Barons Honourable Daughter, once again sweeps readers into the Regency era with striking period detail.

Lady Mirabella Tirel, the beautiful daughter of the Marquess of Camarden, takes a practical approach to love since a dashing captain broke her heart when she was seventeen. Now almost twenty-two, shes decided to endure one last London season to secure a suitable engagement and begin a simple life in the country.

Sir Giles Knyvet is Mirabellas oldest friend and her most dependable ally, and he is also secretly in love with her. Yet he he believes he has much to overcome to make their relationship possible. Besides being a mere baronet, Giles aims to settle a large family debt before sharing his feelings with her. But when the glittering Season gets underway and engagement rumors swirl, it complicates the circumstances between Giles and Mirabella. Each has discovered the journey their heart longs to take, but in light of this new developments, will they find a way to follow the right path?

Lynn Morris is the daughter of a master storyteller so it is only natural that she, too, is a master storyteller as well. Normally I have no idea of what was going on in 1813 so I am very grateful to Ms. Morris to let me know without being boring. Mirabella is working from the position that she has had her heart-broken previously, five years earlier. She is still not over it but back then they had to marry so she is going to try during the Season. What she really needs is not a marriage partner what she needs is for God to heal her heart and get her through her grief and sadness. Mirabella and Giles are living, breathing characters that you just fall in love with. Each of them have their own issues that you want God to deal with so that they can have their own romance. This is a marvelous story that draws you deeply into and makes you want to keep flipping the pages to find out what will happen next. Dont start this book late at night because it will cost you sleep as you will not want to put it down. This book does not disappoint at all.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from FaithWords. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

For starters, it was I think pleasant to find a Regency Romance story which does not rely on various plot devices such as espionage, political intrigue, or some kind of threat from criminal activities to crank up the drama. There was no mystery, no fast-paced action- no murders, kidnappings or treasonable plots. For some, that might be a bad thing- but I didnt really mind it.

I could describe the story as a simple, plain, old fashioned Regency that is more character driven than plot driven, and does as it promised- focusing on the heroines attempts to find a husband in one particular season. In some ways, actually, I think some Regencies focus too much on the sensational or dramatic, and so its good to find one that just offers a simple story which was still enjoyable.

The downside for me, was that I sometimes found it a little hard to follow. I think perhaps that there were too many characters, and so it was hard to keep up with their interactions to one another and their activities. Sometimes I found myself forgetting who X and Y actually were and how they were related to other characters, which cannot be a good thing.

Also, alongside a few annoying Americanisms that intruded upon an otherwise solid and credible period setting (Im fairly certain that nineteenth century Englishmen did not describe distances in urban areas in blocks), I think perhaps I had some issue with the heroine Mirabella. In some ways, she was everything a Regency heroine could be- but in other ways, she came across as very fickle, indecisive and rather priggish.

She seemed to lead men on, with her known intent of finding a husband, court them and seem keen on them- and then totally go off them for sometimes the most trivial of reasons, whilst still holding a flame for the distant hero. I mean, was she really trying to find a husband or not? As it seemed as if nobody but the guy she fancied all along could ever be good enough..yet it was obvious that they would get together in the end.

Overall this was an enjoyable book, the Christian theme well delivered without being clichd or too contrived, and the period details I felt added to the story. I would certainly recommend for fans of Regency and Romance.

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher via Netgalley in return for review. I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.

I enjoyed this book, and found the plot somewhat different from the norm, which was nice. Interesting on historical details, but that seemed overdone to a certain extent, and found myself plodding through at times. I liked the characters, but felt the pace could have been quicker in areas. Still, if you are looking for a nice, pleasant read, then I can recommend.

Mirabella and Giles have been best friends all their lives. Good or bad Giles has always been by her side to make things better. This year, when they both turn 22, they and two friends have decided to attend the Season in London. Mirabella has decided that she will become betrothed before the Season is over. She and her best female friend Josephine begin making the social rounds at various balls and dinners. Privately, Mirabella has a list of potential men that she will entertain the thought of them perhaps being a good match for her.

As the Season progresses and one man, then another fall off her list, Mirabella begins to notice that Giles is not spending as much time with her as usual. In fact, he has been spending most of his time in the company of one of Mirabellas friends. Mirabella is down to the last man on her list of potential suitors when she makes a stunning discovery.

If you have a yen to read something face paced, full of action and tension, then this is not the book for you. If, however, you are interested in the life of ladies in the early 1800s, romance, heartache and spiritual awakening, then here is a book for you. The many details regarding clothing and food and setting at first helped me feel a part of the story; however, these same details when used so much slowed the story somewhat. The best part of the book for me was the spiritual life of Mirabella that is transformed from shallow contact with God to a place of total surrender and dependence on God to get her through each and every day. She learns that only God can get her through depression, grief, sadness and to appreciate His many blessings in her life. I am a new reader of this author and I look forward to more of her works.

Who doesn't love a great novel of a romantic love that simply can not be because of circumstances that prevent the two ill fated from becoming a couple? Much like a Jane Austen novel right? One of my favorites being Pride and Prejudice. In A Sapphire Season, from author Lynn Morris, we get a sneak peek into the lives of Lady Mirabella Tirel who is searching for just the right prospective suitor now that she is of age. Never does she ever consider the feelings of her close friend, Sir Giles Knyvet, her childhood friend because that is not a match that either her parents or even Giles for that matter would consider. But the heart knows what the heart wants, and as much as it pains Sir Giles, he must take a back seat and do what he can to ensure that Mirabella finds just the right man in her life, wishing that is was him instead.

Soon the two childhood friends find themselves pulled in opposite directions as three possible suitors appear on the horizon with the hopes of catching Mirabella's heart, while Sir Giles can only stand by the sidelines and watch. He on the other hand has to deal with an outstanding debt of his own family and thus the reason why he can not pursue Mirabella. It is something that demands his full attention if he is to ever have any hope of convincing her to marry him instead, but will he have enough time to right matters before Mirabella makes a decision over whom to marry. Now that she is turning twenty- two, Mirabella knows if she doesn't find someone soon, her hopes for finding a successful match will simply be out of the question. No one will want to marry her if she continues to wait any longer.

Since having her heart broken once before, she has long given up hope that one can ever hope to marry for love, so she hopes that if she can find a suitable match, she might learn to love the man she marries one day. This comes at a time, where society and social standing is what is important and even though Mirabella's parents support her choices, they also have to do what is best based on the time period in which this novel is written, a far different one from the world women have today.

I received A Sapphire Season by Lynn Morris compliments of Faith Words. a division of Hachette Book Groups for my honest opinion. I did not receive any monetary compensation outside a copy of this novel for my honest review and the opinions expressed are simply my own. Fans of traditional regencies will love this novel. It was a first for me from author Lynn Morris and I look forward to more novels from her in the near future. In my opinion I would rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars and even fans of Dowtown Abbey would enjoy this one as well! There is a group reading guide at the conclusion which is perfect for book groups!