Jaima Fixsen

The writing in Power of the Matchmaker is very detailed and will immerse you in universe of Mae’s countryside hometown. The characters and the plot are quickly set up and overall the story moves at a very fast pace since it was a novella. Though the story is only 60 pages long I never felt that it was written in haste and that plot was rushed.

I felt that Mae Li seems to be a bit innocent of a character, but then I had to consider her age and naiveté. She is heartbroken by the match maker’s decision not to pair her up with Chen and overnight she makes the decision to leave her family and home to go to Shanghai. Upon her immediate arrival she realizes it is too late to turn back and that she is unprepared for city life and the dangers that come with traveling alone.

I love reading historical fiction novels so Power of the Matchmaker was a perfect fit for me. The buildings, clothing style, and transportation is written in such detail that it takes the readers back in time to ancient China. It’s almost as if you are traveling on the same journey that Mae Li is on.

This was a great novella and prequel to the series. Even though the story is short, it was very entertaining and it set the tone for the rest of the books that will be released in 2016. I can’t wait to read the next installment in the series.… (altro)

4.5 stars overall

I received a free ebook review copy of this book but was under no obligation to post a positive review

A Holiday in Bath is the second collection of novellas I was lucky enough to receive for review in the Timeless Romance Anthology. It is safe to say I will definitely be coming back for more. Each of the stories is unique by its own standards and I loved all of them.
If you want do dive into this collection "blind", as I did, here are my star ratings for each of the stories:
* Trail of the Heart by Julie Daines- 3.5-4/5 stars
* Lord Edmund's Dilemma by Caroline Warfield- 5 stars
* The Fine Art of Kissing in the Park by Jaima Fixsen- 4.5/5 stars

If you want to read a short synopsis my thoughts, please continue reading. Either way there is absolutely no reason why you shouldn't read the book itself.

Trail of the Heart by Julie Daines
3.5-4/5 stars
The story was an unexpected one- I was sure all the stories here would be lightheaded and fun and not shrouded in mystery and suspense.
Miss Marianne Wood was summond to Bath in order to give testimony against her attacker- the men who killed her family 2 years prior.
In Bath she meets Mr. Harby Northam- the barrister who wants to get the same men hanged for his crimes.
From this moment on we follow Miss Woods' stay in Bath and witness how the relashionship between the two progresses.
For me this story arc in regency novels is a one I have yet to encounter before; and I have to say I liked it very much. The story showed great promise and I wish it was further developed not only because I think the mystery could have reached greater hight, but also because I would have preferred to see more development between our two main characters. Sadly I didn't think they had much chemistry and it did feel kind of "insta-lovey" for me.
Even though I wish for more development in this short novella I did enjoy it and would recommend to anyone who loves both regency novels and crime dramas.

Lord Edmund's Dilemma by Caroline Warfield
5 stars
God did I love this short!
Lucy Ashcroft was sent by her stepmother to stay with her aunt in Bath. While there the two spent every day with a group of friends Lucy called "the Circle". The Circle members are all older friends of Lucy's aunt whose circumstances in life took a turn for the worse, and to whome Lucy and aunt Imogene are determined to help.
Lord Edmund Parker is the third son of a marquee and as such is expected by his family to become ordained. While on a visit to Bath with his mother, Edmund finds himself intrigued by a pretty girl who spends her days with an unexpected group of women.
From this point on we follow the two throughout their stay in Bath and observe how they deal with an uncertain future.
I can't stress enough how much I loved reading about both Lucy and Edmund. Each of them is a generous, brave and beautiful soul. Lucy especially was near and dear to my heart- she reminded me of myself by befriending and caring for a bunch of older ladies and not people her own age. I rarely see characters like that in literature and I appreciated this aspect of the story quite a bit.
The romance was a slow and touching one. I couldn't not fall in love while reading it.
Simply put- I can't recommend this story enough! Kudos to Caroline Warfield.

The Fine Art of Kissing in the Park by Jaima Fixsen
4.5/5 stars
Simply lovely.
Caroline Trenholme was born and raised to be a politicians' wife. She was even engaged to one- up until he died in a drunken accident. This unfortunate event left her, at 23-years-old, almost a spinster.
Almost a year and half later Caroline finds herself accompanying her grandmother to Bath where, on her first walk with her dog Ormonde, she encounters a stranger who dares her to kiss him in the park.
Sufficient to say this short and sweet story is filled with flirting, sarcasm and cheeky encounters. I couldn't help but love Caroline's free spirited grandma and her unusual, for the times, opinions.
The romance was fun, entertaining, lighthearted and endearing.
I can't imagine why someone would not enjoy reading it. Highly recommended!

I would like to thank Kathy from ebooksforreview for the copy and opportunity to review this lovely collection.… (altro)

This is the final book in the matchmaker series, and I have enjoyed reading them all, all different and yet based on the same premise.
We are back in the 1830’s in merry old England, only its not merry at all, a lot chaos going on, and our girl Mary behind a pseudonym hides her art. A very controversial art, political cartoons, and we end up having a writer next door that writes for the paper. A match made in heaven?
What a great historical look at the political unrest at this period of time in England, and having an adamant father on one side and a man she admires on another. We also have Mrs. Chin, not Pearl as she was known in the other books, and she doesn’t seem to play as large a part.
Will Mary be able to achieve having the man of her dreams, or will fate play a trick on her? You are about to have a great journey here, and we are also going to Bath, to receive a healing?
I received this book through Inspired Kathy, and was not required to give a positive review.… (altro)

This is the first book that I've read by Jaima Fixsen. It's so good that I'm willing to read another of her novels. She did an excellent job creating this cast of characters. Sophy sees herself as an outsider. Even though she does live with her natural father, she's still "illegitimate" and must bear the consequences that come with it.
Tom is perfect for her. Anyone can see that. He understands what it's like to have a less-than-ideal childhood. Jasper and Henrietta make wonderful siblings, willing to support Sophy, especially if it means going against Lady Fairchild.
Lord Fairchild--I'm glad he finally recognizes a treasure in the family. Sophy had grown used to the little acknowledgement from her father. It was very encouraging to see that the author allowed him to "step it up" more toward the end of the book.
All in all, a very good book that I am definitely keeping in my Kindle library!… (altro)