Welcome to Coffee Pot Reviews! These are short and sweet reviews done in the length of time it takes my coffee pot to brew! I have two historical romances to share with you today from Claire Delacroix’s Jewels of Kinfairlie series. The Snow White Bride & The Ballad of Rosamunde. I have had such fun with this medieval series about siblings ..enjoy and stick around for a cup of mocha coffee!
by Claire Delacroix
Series: The Jewels of Kinfairlie #3
Narrator: Saskia Maarleveld
Length: 12 hours and 6 minutes
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Heat Level:
Narration: 4 cups
The Laird of Kinfairlie has helped his sisters, each a gem in her own right, to find husbands. Now the laird himself seeks to wed, and pins his hopes on The Snow White Bride. Lady Eleanor knows better than to dream of romance and love. Married twice to secure her father’s alliances, she has learned that she is desirable only for her fortune. When the Laird of Kinfairlie’s sisters ask her to wed their brother, Alexander, Eleanor agrees, expecting only to save herself from danger. But Alexander is like no man she’s known before, a man more interested in courting her smile than her obedience, a man who values her counsel as much as her newly awakened passion…and a man unaware that Eleanor is the key to a fortune that could ensure the future of everything he holds dear. Now, ruthless enemies will stop at nothing to secure Eleanor’s capture. Will she dare to trust her new husband before it’s too late for her, for Alexander, and for Kinfairlie?
The Snow White Bride was my favorite of the Jewels of Kinfairlie series and while each will work as a standalone, the series itself is about the Laird of Kinfairlie arranging marriages for his sisters. I loved getting to know each of them. In Snow White Bride, Madeline and Vivienne decide it is time their brother was wed. When a young woman is in need of protection, they hatch a plan. Delacroix writes such vivid characters and I adored the sibling’s banter and bickering. I listened to the series on audio and Saskia Maarleveld brings the story and the characters to life.
The Snow White Bride had suspense, danger, and a swoon-worthy romance. Eleanor’s story touched me. I admired her bravery, strength and grace. I found myself hoping she would find her happy. Her story has some dark moments and I will warn you, while not overly detailed it is upsetting. View Spoiler » I have always admired Alexander, the Laird of Kinfairlie. Despite what his sisters say, he is honest, charming and sexy. He cares deeply for his homestead and those in his keep. I loved that we had villains, danger and unexpected surprises throughout the tale. As the couple became acquainted and learned to trust we hit a few obstacles but they communicated and did not run around acting like ninnies. I loved the mixing of humor, heat and conversation allowing their relationship to feel genuine. The last section had me biting my nails, crossing my fingers and even shedding tears. The Snow White Bride was delightful and loved spending time in the medieval halls of Kinfairlie.
by Claire Delacroix
Series: The Jewels of Kinfairlie #3.5
Narrator: Saskia Maarleveld
Length: 1 hour and 35 minutes
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: Author
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Narration: 4 cups
Trapped in the realm of Faerie, Rosamunde can only be released by true love - but the man she loved is dead. Padraig yearns to be more than a friend... can he win her heart forever?
A novella linked to my Rogues of Ravensmuir and Jewels of Kinfairlie trilogies, originally published in the Mammoth Book of Irish Romance. The story was edited for space constraints there - this is the WHOLE story.
Throughout the series Rosamunde, the aunt of girls of Kinfairlie was a thread that ended when we all believed her dead. In The Ballad of Rosamunde we learn she is trapped in the land of Fey and only true love can save her. The Fey king wants her as his bride, and Rosamunde wants to go home. Padraig, her shipmate mourns her death. He is sadden that he was unable to tell her of his feelings, and when a fairy queen comes to him with an offer he thinks it too good to be true. Will the fairy king keep Rosamunde forever or can Padraig save the day? This was a short listen but positively delightful and I enjoyed entering the world of the Fey. Saskia Maarleveld, once again impressed me and I found this story enchanting.
Both The Snow White Bride & The Ballad of Rosamunde were wonderful editions to this series. I love the medieval setting and the colorful characters.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Blessie (Mischievous Reads)
Historical romance and I just don’t click, but I love how these books have strong female MCs! Lovely reviews, Kimba! Love how informative the reviews are despite how short it is. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Blessie; )
Katherine
I haven’t read too much Medieval but this sounds like an interesting series with characters worth getting to know. I read the spoiler and while I don’t think it will be my favorite part I think that since everything is off page it’ll be okay. It’s good to know going in though!
kimbacaffeinate
It was done well even if it gave me pause. This series was fun and the audio delightful
Jennifer Bielman
Well the characters in both sound delightful!
kimbacaffeinate
They are from the sibling banter to the romance it was fun.
Lorna
I read the spoiler and while it interested me at first, I don’t think I will read this one but thanks for sharing 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I know for some, even though it is well done like this one..it is hard to handle.
Bookworm Brandee
These both have me intrigued and I think I’ll check out this series. At some point, anyway. 🙂 I’m always looking for something new in HR. And I like the quick review format, too.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Brandee these coffee pot reviews are great for series books and allows me to share what I enjoyed without spoiling the series.
The Bibliophile Babe
I’m not much for historicals, but I like the sound of the first one!
kimbacaffeinate
It was fun I loved the banter and really it is heavy with historical, aside from the keep you you forget about all of that and just enjoy the characters.
Angela Adams
“swoon-worthy romance” — I like that!
kimbacaffeinate
Me too Angela 🙂
Kristin
Man, you are crazy for the audio books. It amazes me how everyone can concentrate on tasks while listening to these 🙂
Great reviews on both of these! I like that you warned everyone on that “spoiler” point in the Snow White Bride – that would be hard for a few readers to get through.
kimbacaffeinate
I have an audio I am working on at all times, and when I cannot read I listen. I average about one a week, sometimes more, sometimes less.
Mary Kirkland
I don’t mind some dark bits in books like this. It sounds really good.
kimbacaffeinate
I had a blast with these characters and the series. Thanks Mary!
Melissa (Books and Things)
Hm… well for me it is how these things are handled that determines if the spoiler will keep me from a book or not. It does sound like it is handled okay here. Still, I can see why it would be hard to listen to. Hm… I do like the sound of this though!
kimbacaffeinate
It was Melissa, these bits are brought up here and there and it allowed us and the characters to understand Eleanor’s reactions..it was realistic but for some it may be difficult to hear/read. If you are truly interested and concerned email me..I will share and let you decide if you can handle it.
Lindy
The Snow White Bride sounds excellent! I love when siblings are in a story together bantering and bickering. This story sounds fun with how the sisters hatch a plan for their brother to wed. I love a good story full of romance, suspense and danger! This sounds like a good series! The Battle of Rosamunde sounds like it has more fantasy to it. I love stories with the Fey! Thanks for sharing 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
It is delightful and the narrator is wonderful making it a pleasure to listen.
Deborah Cooke aka Claire Delacroix
Thank you for the wonderful reviews!
You might be happy to know that I’ve just listened to the next medieval, The Renegade’s Heart, which is first in the True Love Brides series but takes us back to Kinfairlie. It’s Isabella’s story and should be available later this month. As ever, Saskia did a wonderful job.
AND I’ve just contracted for my new series to go into audio. W00t! I’ve uploaded Tim Gerard Reynolds’ audition for The Crusader’s Bride to Soundcloud because I just love it. He’ll be doing that whole series. I hope I can link to it.
https://soundcloud.com/debclaire/crusadersbride-tim-reynolds-brick-shop
kimbacaffeinate
Congrats, I am excited and look forward to listening. I did listen to the soundcloud and he has a lovely voice.
Debbie Haupt
Great review Kim and I totally agree although I haven’t heard the audibles of these, Deborah Cooke aka Claire Delacroix is one of my favorite authors. I love her Dragon shifter series and her historical romances too.
Michelle
This sounds like a good series, I really need to branch out of the Victorian era and get into some medieval romances!
Ramona
They both sound like keepers if you ask me, but then swoon-worthy romances usually are. The sibling banter doesn’t sound bad either – you know just what points to highlight 🙂 Great reviews, Kimba!
Brandi Breathes Books
The setting as well as the romance and characters sound fun to read about in this one that’s new to me
Red Iza
Medieval setting, banter, bickering siblings, that looks good 🙂
Nick
Siblings banter you say? I’m in! I totally peeked at the spoiler and that would be hard to read about, but it’s good to know beforehand. The romance in the first book sounds lovely though!
I’m glad the novella was also a good read for you, Kim!
Lovely reviews!
Tracy Terry
What a great idea these short but sweet reviews are. Not a genre I read a lot of but then I’m always open to new ideas and The Snow White Bride appeals to me though I’d probably have to be in the right frame of mind to read it
kimbacaffeinate
This works well for series books or novellas..since you don’t want to spoil the series and I can just share my thoughts.
Felicia GeekyBlogger (
I read the spoiler—that is so hard to listen too. I can read those type of things easier than listen. I am putting these on my maybe list–I love medieval but lately been in an early American mood 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I love the audios though Felicia..they are such fun listens
Silvia
Well, medieval settings are my faves, so I’ll definitely keep these books in mind! Thanks for reviewing, Kimberly 😀
kimbacaffeinate
I had fun with these Silvia and yep the setting was fab.
kindlemom1
I think I would enjoy the medieval setting in these as well. Its been a really long time since I have read anything set in this era.
Great mini review Kim! Happy Friday and I hope you have an amazing weekend!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Ali, I am getting ready to crawl into bed and lose myself to a book…such a wild weekender I am!
blodeuedd
I had to read that spoiler, that is a lot to take in
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah..it is something I know is a trigger for some of the folks who follow me, and while I can handle darker elements I gulped at some of it.