Cameo Courtships

JustRead Publicity Tours

A wonderful collection of authors come together to write about one family and a unique statement piece in Cameo Courtships.  Cameo Courtships follows the path of a cameo given from Queen Victoria to a young woman from America.  As the cameo ventures down through the family, it brings love along with it.  As well as a few mysteries of course.

I enjoyed all four of the stories and was already familiar with two of the authors.  Now I’m going to have to do a search for the other authors to see what else they may have written that I’ll find wonderful.

My favorite story would probably be the one focused on either Pete or the Pinkertons.  Both were hilarious.  Of course, I enjoyed all four of the stories.  Petra aka Pete just happened to really make me laugh.  Who wouldn’t love seeing a rough and tumble lady in the west after she leaves the polished wealthy life behind?  

I definitely held my breath every time the cameo went missing.  Who could lose such a priceless possession?  Although, if it had been mine I probably would never have even worn it.  But then again what is something like that worth besides the sentimental value?

Clara and Byron were meant to be.  Just meant to be.  I loved listening to their sparring together.  And of course, I loved the descriptions of the characters.  I’m so glad that Clara’s brother was alright in the end.  

Something I do wish is that there was some kind of a chart so that I could know exactly who each character was in relation to each other.  It was fairly simple to see who Letitia was, and then from her, Clara is her niece, again simple.  Petra is Clara’s daughter.  But I had more trouble with Elizabeth and knowing where she fits in. She’s not in the direct line so it’s a bit confusing to me.

Bertie as well gave me difficulty.  I couldn’t place where she came into the storyline.  Still, a wonderful story and I lost myself in it not wanting to come up for air or rather to feed the kids or go to bed.  Loved the Scottish influence and the generosity to the poor fatherless boys.  Now I also want to delve more into the Carnegie Library. 

Highly recommend this book and anything by any of these authors.  I’d love to see another compilation like this again.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from JustRead Publicity Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.  I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.  All opinions expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations. 

About the Book Cameo Courtships:

A Family Heirloom Inspires Romance

In 1851, a special cameo is gifted by Queen Victoria to Letitia Newton, who though considered an old maid, meets the perfect gentleman minutes after donning. Told by the Queen the cameo is to be shared, Letitia gifts the “Victoria Cameo” to a woman in her family, hoping adventure and romance will follow each of its subsequent wearers. 

 
PINNED ABOVE HER HEART by Susanne Dietze

1851 – Pittsburgh, PA
After receiving the Victoria Cameo, aspiring journalist Clara Newton works to expose a smuggler, but reporter Byron Breaux must break the story first or lose his job. Working together is out of the question until they learn secrets that threaten Clara’s father… .and her heart.

 
TAMING PETRA by Jennifer Uhlarik

1875 – Colorado Territory
Trouser-wearing frontierswoman Petra Jayne Hollingsworth has no intention of donning the heirloom cameo, but when a crooked brothel owner steals the treasure, securing its return becomes Petra’s highest priority. Assisting her, Reverend Dustin Owens is appalled to learn the price of its ransom is that Petra must work in the brothel. He may save the woman’s virtue, but can he help Petra regain her cameo and rediscover her faith?

 
MEET ME AT THE FAIR by Kathleen Y’Barbo

Spring 1885 – New Orleans during the 1884 World’s Fair and Cotton Exposition
It takes a Pinkerton to find a Pinkerton, and Ethan Butler has been charged with finding Elizabeth Newton. Just when he locates her, the cameo he is to deliver is stolen. It appears his previous case has discovered his presence in New Orleans, but he can’t return to that case until the cameo is found. With Miss Newton as a reluctant partner in crime fighting, can Ethan Butler locate the cameo and its thieves without losing his heart?

 
LENDING MY HEART by Debra E. Marvin

1895 – Pittsburgh, PA
The arrival of a handsome Scottish administrator ruins Miss Bertie Hart’s dream to oversee the new Carnegie Library children’s department. Yet bristly Mr. Russell Smart’s working-class determination and his love of books make him the perfect partner to better the lives of Pittsburgh’s poor. As for a partner in life? Not even her Victoria Cameo can narrow the social chasm he and her father keep between them.