Edenbrooke: A Proper Romance by Julianne Donaldson
I haven't read it so I can't speak for it, but I want to read it. It has an average review of 4.43 stars (out of 5) on Goodreads...if that helps.
Description from Amazon:
Marianne Daventry will do anything to escape the boredom of Bath and the amorous attentions of an unwanted suitor. So when an invitation arrives from her twin sister, Cecily, to join her at a sprawling country estate, she jumps at the chance. Thinking she'll be able to relax and enjoy her beloved English countryside while her sister snags the handsome heir of Edenbrooke, Marianne finds that even the best laid plans can go awry. From a terrifying run-in with a highwayman to a seemingly harmless flirtation, Marianne finds herself embroiled in an unexpected adventure filled with enough romance and intrigue to keep her mind racing. Will Marianne be able to rein in her traitorous heart, or will a mysterious stranger sweep her off her feet? Fate had something other than a relaxing summer in mind when it sent Marianne to Edenbrooke.
Book #2: The Boneshaker by Kate Milford
Again, I haven't read it (that's why I'm nominating it...b/c I want to) but I have heard a lot of good things about it. It is considered YA Fiction and has received the YASLA Best Fiction for Young Adults 2011 award.
Description from Goodreads:
Thirteen year-old Natalie Minks loves machines, particularly automata—self operating mechanical devices, usually powered by clockwork. When Jake Limberleg and his traveling medicine show arrive in her small Missouri town with a mysterious vehicle under a tarp and an uncanny ability to make Natalie’s half-built automaton move, she feels in her gut that something about this caravan of healers is a bit off. Her uneasiness leads her to investigate the intricate maze of the medicine show, where she discovers a horrible truth, and realizes that only she has the power to set things right.
Set in 1914, The Boneshaker is a gripping, richly textured novel about family, community, courage, and looking evil directly in the face in order to conquer it.
Finally, book #3: The Twentieth Wife by Indu Sundaresan
Haven't read it, but heard good things about it. Received an average of 4.03 stars on Goodreads
Description from Goodreads:
An enchanting historical epic of grand passion and adventure, this debut novel tells the captivating story of one of India's most controversial empresses -- a woman whose brilliance and determination trumped myriad obstacles, and whose love shaped the course of the Mughal Empire -- 16th century India. Skillfully blending the textures of historical reality with the rich and sensual imaginings of a timeless fairy tale, "The Twentieth Wife" sweeps readers up in Mehrunnisa's embattled love with Prince Salim, and in the bedazzling destiny of a woman -- a legend in her own time -- who was all but lost to history until now
Those are my picks to start us out. Can't wait to see all of the other suggestions. So many good books so little time!!!!
I haven't read it so I can't speak for it, but I want to read it. It has an average review of 4.43 stars (out of 5) on Goodreads...if that helps.
Description from Amazon:
Marianne Daventry will do anything to escape the boredom of Bath and the amorous attentions of an unwanted suitor. So when an invitation arrives from her twin sister, Cecily, to join her at a sprawling country estate, she jumps at the chance. Thinking she'll be able to relax and enjoy her beloved English countryside while her sister snags the handsome heir of Edenbrooke, Marianne finds that even the best laid plans can go awry. From a terrifying run-in with a highwayman to a seemingly harmless flirtation, Marianne finds herself embroiled in an unexpected adventure filled with enough romance and intrigue to keep her mind racing. Will Marianne be able to rein in her traitorous heart, or will a mysterious stranger sweep her off her feet? Fate had something other than a relaxing summer in mind when it sent Marianne to Edenbrooke.
Book #2: The Boneshaker by Kate Milford
Again, I haven't read it (that's why I'm nominating it...b/c I want to) but I have heard a lot of good things about it. It is considered YA Fiction and has received the YASLA Best Fiction for Young Adults 2011 award.
Description from Goodreads:
Thirteen year-old Natalie Minks loves machines, particularly automata—self operating mechanical devices, usually powered by clockwork. When Jake Limberleg and his traveling medicine show arrive in her small Missouri town with a mysterious vehicle under a tarp and an uncanny ability to make Natalie’s half-built automaton move, she feels in her gut that something about this caravan of healers is a bit off. Her uneasiness leads her to investigate the intricate maze of the medicine show, where she discovers a horrible truth, and realizes that only she has the power to set things right.
Set in 1914, The Boneshaker is a gripping, richly textured novel about family, community, courage, and looking evil directly in the face in order to conquer it.
Finally, book #3: The Twentieth Wife by Indu Sundaresan
Haven't read it, but heard good things about it. Received an average of 4.03 stars on Goodreads
Description from Goodreads:
An enchanting historical epic of grand passion and adventure, this debut novel tells the captivating story of one of India's most controversial empresses -- a woman whose brilliance and determination trumped myriad obstacles, and whose love shaped the course of the Mughal Empire -- 16th century India. Skillfully blending the textures of historical reality with the rich and sensual imaginings of a timeless fairy tale, "The Twentieth Wife" sweeps readers up in Mehrunnisa's embattled love with Prince Salim, and in the bedazzling destiny of a woman -- a legend in her own time -- who was all but lost to history until now
Those are my picks to start us out. Can't wait to see all of the other suggestions. So many good books so little time!!!!
