Category:

2014 Favorites (Print)

1/3/2015

Favorite Print Books From 2014

Here is a list of Tell Tale Book Reviews' favorite books read and reviewed in 2014.
They are in not listed in any particular order.
You can find all of these reviews and many more by visiting our Book Review List page,
HERE

Distortion

Down And Dead
In Dixie

Harvest Of Rubies

Stuck Together

A Bouquet Of Love

Price Of Privilege

A Match Of Wits

All For A Sister

Palace Of Darkness

Sidetracked

The Land Uncharted

The Princess Spy

Caroline's Secret

Annie's Stories

The Yuletide Rescue

Slave Again

A Bridge Unbroken

Abandoned Memories

A Woman Of Fortune

Silenced

The Quilted Heart Omnibus

The Pursuit Of Tamsen Littlejohn

Firewall

Where Courage Calls

Death By The Book

The Captive Maiden

The Turning

Unseen

In Perfect Time

We are excited to start reading and reviewing in the
new year and hope you will be joining us for...

2015 image from freedigitalphotos.net

3 Comments

Book Review - Price Of Privilege by Jessica Dotta

12/29/2014

0 Comments

Genre:
Historical

Price Of Privilege
The Price Of Privilege book 3
by Jessica Dotta

-From the back cover-

WHERE WILL SHE TURN
WHEN THE TRUTH BECOMES MORE
DANGEROUS THAN THE LIE?

HAVING FINALLY DISCOVERED the truth of her birthright, Julia Elliston is determined to outwit Chance Macy at his own game. Holding knowledge he'd kill to keep secret, however, is proving more difficult than she imagined.
Just when Julia thinks she's managed to untangle herself from Macy's clutches, the scandal of the century breaks loose. Drawing rooms all over London whisper what so far newspapers have not dared to print: Macy's lost bride is none other than Lord Pierson's daughter, Julia – and one of the most controversial cases of marital law ever seen comes before Victorian courts.
Though Julia knows Macy's version of events is another masterful manipulation, public opinion is swaying in his favor. Caught in a web of deceit and lies, armed only with a fledgling faith, Julia must face her fiercest trial yet.

One of the best books I've read this year!

When I read the first book in this series I didn't like Julia, she was just so foolish and headstrong. But after I finished I gave it high marks because I realized the extent of the author's talent. Jessica Dotta had written a heroine that I couldn't be indifferent about, she completely engaged my emotions on every page. In the second book I gained sympathy with Julia as learned more about her and as she gradually changed. As I read Price Of Privilege I came to the conclusion that I truly cared about her. I so wanted everything to work out for her, and I found myself breathlessly turning pages to find out what would happen next.

This Book received a 4.5 Bark rating.

Jessica Dotta

Author's Website

If you are looking for a light and fluffy historical you'll need to look elsewhere. This Gothic tale of romance, intrigue, manipulation, and sacrifice, is so much more. It deals with the darker side of Victorian society and is perfectly delightful. I love a read that I can sink my teeth into, totally immersing me into the world the characters see, and Price Of Privilege does that to perfection.

One of the best things about this series, and especially Price Of Privilege, is that Jessica Dotta never writes what you expect. There are more twists and turns than the streets of London. I couldn't put the book down at all and I was pulled inexorably along with Julia to the startling conclusion.
I think this book could easily be my favorite of the three, and not just because all of my questions were answered, I felt even more connected to the characters and involved in the storyline. I really can't wait to see whatever Jessica Dotta might be doing next.

Price Of Privilege is a MUST read for fans of historical fiction!

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Price Of Privilege by Jesssica Dotta a 4.5 Bark rating.

Paperback: 464 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (December 18, 2014)
ISBN-10: 1414375573
ISBN-13: 978-1414375571

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Notice: I have an affiliate with Amazon and DeeperShopping so if you
purchase a book through the links provided I will receive a small kickback.

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Book Review - Mark Of Distinction by Jessica Dotta

5/27/2014

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Genre:
Historical

Mark Of Distinction
Price Of Privilege book 2
by Jessica Dotta

-From the back cover-

IN VICTORIAN SOCIETY, WHERE EVEN
A WHISPER OF SCANDAL CAN RUINA LIFE,
JULIA ELLISTON MUST WATCH HER STEP.

LONDON IS SAID to be the glittering jewel of society, a world unto itself, but to Julia Elliston, it is a city of shadows. Now under the protection of Lord Pierson, she is caught up in his desperate plan and thrust into the public eye as his rightful heir.
She's the toast of London, a celebrated curiosity, but with the entire city clamoring for more news of the Emerald Heiress, Julia quickly finds it difficult to maintain the illusion. Each step forward pushes her closer to the precipice. And she must not forget that Chance Macy's power is far-reaching as well. One false move, and he could bring her – and the future she's fighting for – tumbling down.
Aided only by a gentlemen whose intentions she prays she can trust, Julia must find a way to regain control of her own fate. But outwitting one's foe rarely goes according to plan.

Oftentimes the second book in a series just doesn't quite live up to its predecessor. It's almost like the author pours everything into the first one and has little leftover. Mark Of Distinction was totally the opposite, Jessica Dotta has spaced out her storyline and character development perfectly. I liked book one for the quality of the writing but I enjoyed book two even more.

I have to admit that I didn't always exactly like Julia in Born Of Persuasion, she seemed to be self absorbed and very naïve. In Mark Of Distinction she starts to mature, gaining in understanding and compassion. I really liked watching her grow and how the author delved into how Julia's past affected her actions and thoughts.
This is much the story of young and innocent girl caught up in the machinations of powerful men bent on accomplishing their own ends. There are two truly good men that try to help her, and honestly, I found myself divided on who I hoped she might marry.

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This Book earned a 4.5 Bark rating.

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Jessica Dotta

Author's Website

Once again Jessica Dotta has written a detailed story full of complex characters. A story that pulls the reader in and holds them captive until the very last page. This book will keep you coming back for more and in the meantime wondering where the plot might twist next.

Mark Of Distinction is not a quick read. It is over 400 pages, but it is very well written and every page is worth taking the time to enjoy. In many ways the writing style and the story reminds me much of Jane Eyre, and as a fan of the classics, I find that to be an excellent feature.

Don't miss any of the books in the Price Of Privilege series, both Born Of Persuasion and Mark Of Distinction are excellent reads!

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Mark Of Distinction by Jessica Dotta a 4.5 Bark rating.

Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (April 18, 2014)
ISBN-10: 1414375565
ISBN-13: 978-1414375564

PRINT

KINDLE

Christian Book Store

PRINT

Notice: I have affiliates with Amazon & DeeperShopping so if you purchase
a book through the links provided I will receive a small kickback.

0 Comments

Book Review - Born Of Persuasion by Jessica Dotta

10/2/2013

0 Comments

Genre:
Historical/Gothic

Born Of Persuasion
Price Of Privilege Trilogy book 1
by Jessica Dotta

-From the back cover-

SHE NEVER IMAGINED
SECURING HER FUTURE
WOULD REQUIRE DELVING
INTO THE PAST.

THE YEAR IS 1838, and seventeen-year-old Julia Elliston's position has never been more fragile. Orphaned and unmarried in a time when women were legal property of their fathers, husbands, and guardians, she finds herself at the mercy of an anonymous guardian who plans to establish her as a servant in far-off Scotland.
With two months to devise a better plan, Julia's first choice – to marry her childhood sweetheart – is denied. Then a titled dowager offers to introduce Julia into society, opening a realm of possibilities.
Treachery and deception are as much a part of Victorian society as titles and decorum, however, and Julia quickly discovers her present is deeply entangled with her mother's mysterious past. Before she knows what's happening, Julia finds herself a pawn in a deadly game between two of the country's most powerful men. But with no laws to protect her, she must unravel the secrets on her own.
But sometimes truth is elusive and
knowledge is deadly.

If you love Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights you are in for a treat with Jessica Dotta's 2013 release, Born Of Persuasion.

This book has all the elements of an 1840's Gothic Romance. A damsel in distress with secrets about her mother's death, an unknown guardian, a childhood love, a dark and mysterious man, an ancient house, and a group of people all with hidden motives and secrets of their own.
Everything is over-the-top in that truly Gothic way that readers over the last 2 centuries have come to love. The ladies are beautiful, the men are mysterious and handsome, the classes are distinct and life is about position, mist shrouded manors with winding hallways and cobwebby rooms, scrumptious food and even more scrumptious dresses, and everyone tries to further their own ends.

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This Book earned a 4 Bark rating.

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Jessica Dotta

Visit Jessica's Website
HERE

It isn't very often these days that I find a historical novel written in the style of the time in which it is set. So often modern thinking and writing styles interfere with the atmosphere of the story. Somehow Jessica Dotta has managed to avoid that pitfall. At times the only thing that reminded me that the publish date was 2013 and not 1843, or as in the story 1838, was the very modern paper cover. Don't get me wrong, this book isn't a trite or heavy antiquated tome. Instead the author successfully blends our modern love of historical fiction with the era-style in which the book is set.

One of the lessons that stood out to me is just how much our choices affect those around us, even those we don't think could possibly do so. Julia starts to get an inkling of how far-reaching her choices are, from her maid, Nancy, her best friend, Elizabeth, to her childhood beau, Edward.
Our heroine is mostly concerned for herself but gradually she starts on the road to true love and faith. I will be very interested in reading the next book, Mark Of Distinction, and not only finding out what befalls our heroine next but also how her character develops and matures.

A well written historical novel that thoroughly engrosses the reader and elicits great emotion whether you agree with the character's actions or no.

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Born Of Persuasion by Jessica Dotta a 4 Bark rating.