Among Sand and Sunrise (An American Heiress #3) by Stacy Henrie

--1909--
After three failed seasons, American heiress Syble Rinecroft is more than ready to move forward in a life of independence and adventure. And what better way to begin than by taking a trip to Egypt with her grandmother and her band of widowed friends to find a hidden tomb? There’s only one catch. The archaeologist the widows insist on employing is none other than the irritating Marcus Brandt whom Syble met years ago on another trip to Egypt. If Syble has any hope of finding the tomb and being known for something other than too vivacious to make anyone a suitable wife, she’ll have to learn to work with Marcus.

British archaeologist Marcus Brandt has only ever wanted one thing—a discovery in Egypt that will bring him the acclaim that has eluded his career. Such a thing will surely be found in the tomb he is presently clearing. So when his wealthy patroness and her friends, including Marcus’s grandmother, seek his help in finding a hidden tomb, he’s reluctant to agree to the new dig. Especially when it involves daily interaction with Syble Rinecroft, the annoying adolescent he met eight years ago.

Compelled to do the dig for different reasons, Syble and Marcus finally agree to work together, in spite of their opposite approaches to life. As the days pass, though, they discover there may be more to each other and their growing friendship than either expected to find. And yet, opening their hearts might just cost them their dreams.

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This is the third book in this American Heiress series by Stacy Henrie.  Each book can stand alone easily so don't worry if you haven't read the others but do add them to your read list as they are both great stories!

I loved the setting for this story.  Egypt is so foreign to me and the excitement of the 1900's when people were discovering all the ancient ruins and tombs makes this book so fascinating.  Can you imagine finding and walking into an undiscovered tomb full of treasures and history?  Wow.  How amazing that would be?  I felt some of that amazement through the eyes and thoughts of the characters in this book and I loved it!

This story is slow and gentle.  There isn't anything heart pounding or climactic about it.  It follows Syble and Marcus as they learn about each other while working together on a dig.  They are both just outside the "norms" of their time which made them even more interesting to me as a reader.  I really enjoyed my time spent with this book.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own. 

 

Beneath an Italian Sky (An American Heiress) by Stacy Henrie + Win This Book!

--1908--

American heiress Clare Herschel made what she hoped was a love match when she married the handsome, witty Emmett Markham, the Earl of Linwood. A little over a year into her marriage, though, Clare finds herself wintering in Sicily—alone. She is sure the mild climate is the answer to avoiding another miscarriage and Emmett’s apparent indifference, so she’s determined to remain in Italy as long as possible. The last person she expects to show up at the villa is her husband, especially when Emmett confesses he’s there to convince her to return to England.

As the only surviving son of a marquess, Emmett has done everything his father has asked of him—even agreeing to run for a seat in the House of Commons. However, this latest task comes with a nearly impossible caveat. He must convince his wife Clare to come back to England with him in order for them to appear to be a happy couple for his political campaigning. Emmett isn’t confident Clare will agree to the plan, though, not when she seems to want nothing to do with him or the life they’d begun building before she abruptly left him for Italy.

When a massive earthquake strikes Messina, Sicily, claiming the lives of thousands, Clare and Emmett must set aside their mutual misgivings about their marriage in order to survive and lend a helping hand to others. But in the wake of the destruction, they begin to realize they’ve been given a chance to decide if their love is stronger than the upheavals of the past.

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I've been looking forward to this book for so long.  Well, ever since the last book I read in this series.  This book officially released yesterday so you can pick it up too!  

I love when books are based around real historical events.  This one is set in Sicily when a massive, devastating earthquake hits.  The upheaval, turmoil and desperation were clearly present and I was caught up in the story, the characters and the emotion.

Both Clare and Emmett are so insecure.  They don't have very good communication skills which of course leads to so much misunderstanding and the only way to work through the mess is to talk it out.  That proves to be a bit difficult with an earthquake, trying to stay alive, and oh, a reporter who watches their every move.  But both Clare and Emmett are good people, trying to find their way and prove their worth.  I was really grateful to have both points of view throughout the story so I could know them both and love them equally.  The flashbacks helped provide the base for their initial love and gave me hope as a reader.

Even though this story is full of tragedy, it never felt overwhelming.  This author has a magical, peaceful way of writing.  The words fall gently and I love that.  I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait for the next one coming out in the fall.

Content:  mild peril, death, kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

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