I am so very excited to be a part of this blog tour, not only is Raybourn one of my most favorite historical mystery writer's but her new series was so much darn fun that I can't wait to share it with you all. Seriously, try it, you won't regret it. Even those that don't normally like this genre, are going to love this one!
Title: A Curious Beginning
Author: Deanna Raybourn
Series: Book One in the Veronica Speedwell Series
Published By: NAL/Penguin (September 1, 2015)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: Historical Mystery
My Rating: 4.5 Stars!
Book Description:
In her thrilling new series, the New York Times bestselling author of the Lady Julia Grey mysteries, returns once more to Victorian England…and introduces intrepid adventuress Veronica Speedwell.
London, 1887. As the city prepares to celebrate Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee, Veronica Speedwell is marking a milestone of her own. After burying her spinster aunt, the orphaned Veronica is free to resume her world travels in pursuit of scientific inquiry—and the occasional romantic dalliance. As familiar with hunting butterflies as she is fending off admirers, Veronica wields her butterfly net and a sharpened hatpin with equal aplomb, and with her last connection to England now gone, she intends to embark upon the journey of a lifetime.
But fate has other plans, as Veronica discovers when she thwarts her own abduction with the help of an enigmatic German baron with ties to her mysterious past. Promising to reveal in time what he knows of the plot against her, the baron offers her temporary sanctuary in the care of his friend Stoker—a reclusive natural historian as intriguing as he is bad-tempered. But before the baron can deliver on his tantalizing vow to reveal the secrets he has concealed for decades, he is found murdered. Suddenly Veronica and Stoker are forced to go on the run from an elusive assailant, wary partners in search of the villainous truth.
About Deanna:
A sixth-generation native Texan, New York Times bestselling author Deanna Raybourn graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a double major in English and history and an emphasis on Shakespearean studies. She taught high school English for three years in San Antonio before leaving education to pursue a career as a novelist. Deanna makes her home in Virginia, where she lives with her husband and daughter.
Website
This book truly delivered everything I was hoping it would. Never one to shy away from a feisty heroine, Raybourn once again pulls through with a heroine that is every bit as fierce and independent as the synopsis promised, with just the right amount of softness and wit to truly make her stand out and shine. Lovable to the core and instantly relatable, Veronica is sure to steal anyone's heart.
A well written, beautifully told story that is sure to please everyone and with a hero that is every bit as tough, rough, and endearing as the heroine, this truly is one of Raybourn's best works yet.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*
I almost picked this one up, but wanted to see how the reviews played out - well, they sure are glowing! This truly sounds like something worth reading, and that gorgeous cover will make a wonderful addition to my bookshelf ;)
ReplyDeleteWonderful review!
It is a wonderful series and Raybourn is a great writer!!
DeleteDang! Now you LOVED this one! I missed the boat on this one - it wasn't even on my radar :( It is now! I really love feisty heroines!!
ReplyDeleteYou are going to love Veronica then. ;)
DeleteSeems a fine read, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by Blogoratti! :D
DeleteSounds like a great historical fiction book!
ReplyDeleteIt really was. It was a fun blend of mystery and historic. :D
DeleteThe book sounds awesome. Can't wait to read it. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from Elements of Writing
I hope you love it too!
DeleteOoooo a 4.5 Ali! Clearly this needs to be on my list, I do love a good feisty heroine:)
ReplyDeleteFeisty heroines really are fun. ;)
DeleteI remember seeing you do a WoW on this one. I'm so glad you ended up loving it. I can't wait to give it a try! Thank you for the review :)
ReplyDeleteI love it when that happens Eileen but I also love this author so I had no doubt it would be fabulous. ;)
DeleteOk Ali this is the second review I've seen of this today I am chatting her up for a review copy. Great review!!!!
ReplyDeletexo
Oh do you will love it!
DeleteI've seen this somewhere else and I've got to say it sounds really awesome, especially because of the unusually plucky heroine who, if I understand right, is not one to conform easily :) Love the sound of that!
ReplyDeleteHa ha, she is a lot of fun. ;)
DeleteOh that cover is amazing! I so wish I'd seen this one up for review. I totally would have grabbed it just for the cover. lol Glad to hear it's awesome :)
ReplyDeleteThe cover is gorgeous! It was on Netgalley and Edelweiss, it might still be there!
DeleteSounds like a win-win to me. I'll be sure to look for this one when I'm in the mood for a good historical mystery.
ReplyDeleteI really hope you do, this author is just so much fun and all her heroines are amazing.
DeleteI'm in need for some historical fiction and this looks really nice :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you try it and like it! :D
DeleteI just added it to my wishlist! It sounds exactly like something I will love and her one book I've read was amazing!
ReplyDeleteYay! I can't wait for you to read it!
DeleteGreat minds! I loved this one as well. The big reveal was jaw dropping, eh?
ReplyDeleteYes! I loved it! I wonder if more will happen with that? I'm kind of hoping so. ;)
DeleteOh the blurb was really good. I haven't read anything by her before. Totally checking this out as I have been loving historical stuff lately. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI really hope you do because she is fabulous!
DeleteI'm not a historical fan but I dig the cover on this!
ReplyDeleteIt really does have a great cover!
DeleteOoooh! I'm very intrigued, Ali. I haven't read this author before, but this just sounds fantastic. A rough hero and a feisty heroine? Sounds like my kind of book!
ReplyDeleteI bet you would love this Nick!
DeleteVeronica sounds awesome! I don't read a ton of historical fiction, but this sounds great. :)
ReplyDeleteShe was a really fun character for sure!
Deletewho wouldn't want to read about this heroine? she sounds fierce!
ReplyDeleteShe was and it really was a lot of fun to get to know her. ;)
DeleteRaybourn sounds like an awesome heroine. I am seeing this everywhere this week.
ReplyDeleteShe is a fabulous writer, especially if you like historical that is fun and always has a slight edge of something other to it.
Deletethat"s great! I haven't read it yet but I have it. I need to get into it. I'm a little late wit my books...
ReplyDeleteI feel you, I feel so behind on so many reads right now as well.
DeleteI loved the twist at the end and of course Veronica and Stoker. Glad you enjoyed this one too :)
ReplyDeleteMe too! I really want the next book to go into more details about it regardless of what Veronica said or rather how she feels about it. I think it could be a lot of fun. ;)
DeleteI haven't really read any historical mysteries before, but I think you have me convinced. Oh, and just look at that cover!!
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Oh I hope you do give her a try, it is worth it I promise!
DeleteThis does sound good but I don't read a lot of historical fiction unless it's paranormal although I have in the past. I am glad you loved it though!
ReplyDelete