Happy Saturday, Reader Friends!
Thanks for stopping by for my review of A Place Called New Hope. I’m just a stop in this SLB Blog Tour. Make sure to enter the giveaway before moving on!
About the Book
Genre: Historical, Regency, Romance, Suspense
Publisher: Cedar Fort
Publication date: March 13, 2018
The Blurb: “Prompted by her mysterious origins, young English heiress Letty Leighton seeks to establish a Utopian community called New Hope. To do this, however, Letty must marry African explorer Patrick Marlowe, an unconventional man who proves as hard to control as the residents of New Hope. Together they must confront an unknown enemy seeking to destroy both of their dreams. This inspirational romance novel belongs on the bookshelf next to books by Anita Stansfield, and Julianne Donaldson.”
About the Author
The daughter of a foreign-service officer, Catherine McGreevy attended international schools in France, Spain, and Morocco. During her time abroad she learned to appreciate other cultures as well as the ideals that make America special. A true book-worm, she dreamed seeing her own novels on a shelf next to those of her favorite writers, including Mary Stewart and Elizabeth Peters.
After majoring in Communications (Journalism) with a minor in English at Brigham Young University, she later earned her Secondary Education Teaching Credential at Cal State Fullerton, and taught high-school and middle-school English before moving to Northern California.
A history buff, Catherine lives in Northern California’s gold country, where she has been known to don a bonnet and petticoats to re-enact the past with the Sierra Nevada Mormon Pioneers, appearing in parades and at Sutter’s Fort and the Gold Discovery site in Coloma.
Her first historical novel, Chance’s Bluff, was released by Cedar Fort Publishing in January, 2018. A Place Called New Hope follows in March.
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Snippet
“Ye’ve found it then.” The deep, cracked voice made her jump. Letty twirled, clutching the locket closer. Henry chuckled. “Just now, ye looked as she did. Desperately crawlin’ on your hands through the reeds, as if everything depended on it. But ye’re the one who found it, while the other lass went home empty handed. But that be the way of things, ain’t it? Nothin’s fair, not in this life nor the next.” “She?” “One of yer new ones, there, what ye brought here.” He nodded his grizzled head toward New Hope. “The lively one with the red hair. Her gentleman friend did give the trinket to her, and no sooner had he left than she took it off to look at it and dropped it in the reeds. Careless of her.” Henry seemed to read Letty’s thoughts, as if her face was registering every emotion. “Yes, I saw them in this very spot, many a time, her and her fellow, but never did they know it. I’ve been watching you these ten minutes past, nor did you ever know it neither. Not till I wanted you to.”
Review
A Place Called New Hope had an intriguing premise that had me itching to find out more about a Utopian society. Couple that with the setting of historical England and I was eager to read this novel. However, this book does not deal with marriage and fashion of that time in the same way that other books have done. Considering Letty Leighton is sickened by the disparity between rich and poor, it stands the reason.
I admired the drive Letty had in creating New Hope in an effort to save the poor from their plight. Unfortunately, she didn’t give the idea the thought it truly deserved. I found Letty’s ignorance and the problems that stemmed from it a little trying at times. Realizing that was part of the plot, I kept on reading.
The romance between Letty and her husband was very sporadic. Partly because they marry to further their own dreams and because Patrick is gone for a good portion of the novel. I wasn’t convinced of their romance and felt not real connection.
I did like the thread of mystery that was thrown in. I admire a good who dunnit and this one had a portion set in trial. It made me think of my favorite crime shows to see if the true criminal would be found out.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through SLB tours. This review is my own, honest opinion.
**I’d rate this 3 out of 5 stars.
Giveaways
Tour Schedule
April 5-Among the Reads
April 6-Bookworm Nation
April 7-Soulfully Romantic
April 10-Remembrancy
April 12-Paulette’s Papers
April 13-Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic
April 17-Singing Librarian Books
April 18-Mel’s Shelves
April 20-Faery Tales Are Real
April 23-Heidi Reads…
April 25-Locks, Hooks and Books
April 26-Wishful Endings
April 27-Ponderings of a Poet & Procrastinator
April 30-Henry Happens
Toni Shiloh 
Thank you for your honest review and information on “A Place Called New Hope” as well as being part of the book tour.
I’d very much love the opportunity to read this book.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
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You’re the winner!
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