Unwrapping a Guest Review by Connie Fischer of DAISIES AND DEVOTION, a Mayfield Family novel by Josi S. Kilpack

Greetings my darling readers, I know I’ve been remiss in providing you reviews of good reads this past year and I apologize. Life has a hold on me which does not allow me much reading time. I have tried to make up for that in publishing my own good reads for you and I hope you’ve given them a try. So to make up for my neglect, I will be offering up guest reviews for you enjoy. I hope to be back reviewing for you soon but in the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy my dear friend, Connie Fischer’s reviews to guide you to good reads. Enjoy and Happy Reading!

I present to you a guest review of DAISIES AND DEVOTION, a Mayfield Family novel by Josi S. Kilpack, published April 16, 2019.

Blurb for DAISIES AND DEVOTION:

Timothy Mayfield is ready to marry for love, but, since his personal finances are thinner than he’d like, he knows he’ll also need to find a wife with wealth. After receiving an unexpected inheritance, Timothy’s circumstances change, and he is free to pursue his “perfect woman”—one with blonde hair, blue eyes, a light laugh, arched eyebrows, elegant fingers, and a dazzling smile, among nearly twenty other characteristics.

Maryann Morrington doesn’t match anything on Timothy’s list—except for wealth. An heiress in her own right, she is tired of men pursuing her only for her money. But at nearly twenty-two years old, and not a particularly stunning beauty, she can’t be as picky as her friend Timothy is.

The two friends end up playing matchmaker for each other. Timothy will find a decent gentleman for Maryann, and Maryann will prove to Timothy that his “perfect woman” doesn’t exist.

Until Miss Shaw comes to London.

Now, with Timothy’s heart captivated by the blonde, blue-eyed beauty, Maryann must decide if she should risk her heart and reveal her true feelings for her friend, or if she should settle for someone else. It’s an up-and-down game of “he loves me, he loves me not” with both hearts and friendship on the line.

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Connie’s Review:

London - 1822

Maryann Morrington, age 22, is in London to begin her delayed season. She has been at home for the last 5 years caring for her ailing mother who passed away some months ago. She loved her mother dearly and was happy to be the one to care for her. Maryann is an heiress with a large dowry.

Timothy Mayfield is a friend of Lucas, the husband of Deborah who is sister to Maryann. Lucas has suggested that Timothy call upon Maryann. In addition, word has spread that Maryann is a wealthy young woman which is what Timothy seeks.

When they meet, they seem to get along but Timothy tells her he is in need of a wealthy wife and lists the qualifications he is looking for which are totally counter to Maryann. She likes his honesty and tells him she will help him find a woman with the attributes that he desires.

In the meantime, Timothy is summoned by his Uncle Elliott who informs him that he will bestow a goodly sum of money and land upon him when Timothy marries a woman of whom Elliott approves. Timothy is delighted because his funds are very limited.

As Timothy and Maryann meet up at soirees, she introduces him to young ladies and a Miss Shaw turns out to be the one who ticks all of his boxes. Yet, the friendship between Timothy and Maryann becomes more than that and they both wonder at what to make of it.

This is a very good story with two delightfully, strong characters, both of whom have a great sense of humor. The descriptions of the events are sumptuous, and the plot is well-written. I have always enjoyed Josi Kilpack’s books and look forward to more from her.

Copy provided by NetGalley and Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and honest review.

DAISIES AND DEVOTION, a Mayfield Family novel by Josi S. Kilpack, Shadow Mountain, available now ebook, print, and audio at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks.

Unwrapping a Guest Review by Connie Fischer of PROMISES AND PRIMROSES, a Mayfield Family novel by Josi S. Kilpack

Greetings my darling readers, I know I’ve been remiss in providing you reviews of good reads this past year and I apologize. Life has a hold on me which does not allow me much reading time. I have tried to make up for that in publishing my own good reads for you and I hope you’ve given them a try. So to make up for my neglect, I will be offering up guest reviews for you enjoy. I hope to be back reviewing for you soon but in the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy my dear friend, Connie Fischer’s reviews to guide you to good reads. Enjoy and Happy Reading!

I present to you a guest review of PROMISES AND PRIMROSES, a Mayfield Family novel by Josi S. Kilpack, published September 4, 2018—

***A review of book two in this series will come next time. J

Blurb for PROMISES AND PRIMROSES:

Lord Elliott Mayfield aims to correct the very messy marital mistakes and spousal scandals of his brothers and sisters by requiring his nieces and nephews to choose worthy companions.  If they choose wisely, they will receive their generous share of the family’s inheritance.

Peter, Elliott’s eldest nephew, thinks the entire idea is ridiculous. A widower with two young daughters, he simply needs a governess, not a wife. Julia Hollingsworth certainly has the credentials and the experience, but is altogether too young and pretty for such a job. So why can’t he stop thinking about her?

Julia loves working as a governess, despite the objections of her mother, Amelia. And as it turns out, Amelia has a lot to say about the Mayfield men—none of it good. But Julia dismisses the rumors of ruined reputations and instead concentrates on helping Peter with his children and his fledgling business in canine husbandry. His kindness and gentleness is endearing—and increasingly attractive.

But Amelia, whose heart was broken thirty years ago by none other than Elliott Mayfield, is determined to prevent any relationship from blooming either between Peter and Julia—or between herself and Elliott.

Hearts and history collide as both couples must face their pasts and decide if risking it all is worth the promise of new love and a new future.

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Connie’s Review:

1822

Elliott Mayfield, fifth Viscount Howardsford is meeting with his nephew and heir, Peter Mayfield. As many family members have made bad choices and bad marriages in the past, Elliott wants to see the family members turn toward better things. There are 7 nieces and nephews that he wants to see marry well and have happy lives. To that end, he wants to offer them an enticement to help them obtain a happy marriage with someone who will be a good mate for them. Peter admires his uncle for his generosity and concern, but hopes his cousins will not try to take advantage of Elliott in his endeavor. The gifts will be in the form of investments with growth potential.

Peter is a widower with 2 daughters to raise. He is a hard worker and does not feel his uncle should give him an enticement to marry again as he has no wish to do so. He lost his wife, Sybil, 4 years ago and he still mourns her. While Peter appreciates his uncle’s concern, he is only thinking of his daughters, Leah and Marjorie, and how he must hire a new governess for them.

At the employment office, Peter interviews three women. Miss Julia Hollingsworth is a young woman whose age is 27. She has recently finished a governess position in London that she held for 5 years. A lovely woman, he discovers that her father raised dogs which are Peter’s passion. Since Julia is such a lovely woman, he decides to hire a dour woman as a governess because he realizes he is much too attracted to Julia. However, the woman is totally unsuitable and Julia finally gets the job.

Julia’s mother, Amelia, is a widow and at one time had been in love with Elliott. Thinking he was about to propose to her, he was called away on urgent family business and their relationship stalled. While Amelia had a good marriage to a banker and 3 children, she is still bitter about Elliott. Therefore, she does not want Julia to have anything to do with the Mayfield family and begins a mission to get Julia away from them.

This story has some good things about it. I felt the addition of Amelia could have totally been cut out. Her bitterness is very irritating and I quickly tired of her character. However, the gentleness of Julia with the girls and the dogs is very well-written. I’m sure readers will enjoy this book. I am a fan of this author.

Copy provided by Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and honest review.

PROMISES AND PRIMROSES, a Mayfield Family novel by Josi S. Kilpack, Shadow Mountain, available now ebook, print, and audio at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks.