Review and Giveaway: Refuge for Masterminds (Stranje House #3) by Kathleen Baldwin

From Award Winning Author
Kathleen Baldwin

The stakes in this game of spies are life and death.

REFUGE FOR MASTERMINDS

by Kathleen Baldwin

Series: Stranje House, Book 3
Genre: Young Adult, Teen Alternative Historical Fantasy
Publisher: Tor Teen
Publication Date: May 23, 2017

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Lady Jane Moore has a secret. A secret that must be kept buried. If anyone discovered the truth, her life at Stranje House would crumble. And with Napoleon Bonaparte threatening to invade England, everyone at Stranje House is already in mortal danger.

There's a traitor in the house. Someone is sneaking information to Napoleon's spies, Lady Daneska and Ghost. Jane is determined to find out who it is before suspicions rip apart the bonds of friendship at Stranje House. Her desperate hunt for the traitor ensnares a brash young American inventor, Alexander Sinclair, Robert Fulton's nephew, into an ambush that puts his life in danger. Sinclair is the most maddening young man in all of Christendom, a sharp-tongued rascal with boorish manners, but Lady Jane cannot bear the thought of the golden-haired genius being harmed.

Is Jane enough of a mastermind to save Alexander, her friends at Stranje House, and possibly England itself?

Fans of Gail Carriger, Patricia Wrede, and Caroline Stevermer will love this Regency-era alternate history filled with spunky heroines, handsome young lords, and dastardly villains.

"Baldwin has a winning series here: her characters are intriguing and fully rendered."
- Stacey Comfort, Booklist

"Refuge for Masterminds moves at a fast pace from the first page and doesn't stop. Although it is written with a young adult audience in mind, it is a fun and enjoyable novel and will also appeal to adult readers."
- Francesca Pelaccia, Historical Novel Society

Purchase Links

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

My Review:   

  This is a series that I have really enjoyed, and this book continues that enjoyment.  I always love a good historical fiction that makes me interested in learning more about a certain time period.  Particularly when it gets me interested in a time period I either never thought about, or just never had any interest in even when I might have learned about it in the past in school, etc.  I also love a good series where each book focuses on another of the main characters, as well as keeping up involved in the lives of those from books before, and even getting us interested in whatever other characters we might get future books about.  I enjoyed a lot about Lady Jane, and I also enjoyed the banter between her and Mr. Sinclair in this book.  Their romance was very sweet.  The reason that Jane did not want to go to London was definitely well-hidden until it was revealed, and until then, I was unsure what in the world could have kept her from wanting to go.  But that reason was so good!  And the turn it took once she was in London was even better.  I loved the puppies, and the idea of creating a fake leg for a dog with only three legs was so sweet and a neat addition to the story.  There was a bit with a leech at the end that made me laugh out loud, as I could totally see it happening.    Another fun look into a time period and environment that we don't always spend much time looking into, not to mention the political world at the time and how the society and town worked during those days, not to mention the scientific ideas that began to spring forth as well, probably in very similar environments.

Other Books by the Author

Don't miss the first two books in the Stranje House series:

A SCHOOL FOR UNUSUAL GIRLS Series: Stranje House, Book 1 Napoleon is exiled, Europe is in shambles and Britain is at war on four fronts. Daughters of the Beau Monde who don't fit high society's strict mold are banished to Stranje House, where headmistress, Emma Stranje, entangles these unusual girls in the dangerous world of spies, diplomacy, and war. Buy Link: Amazon eBook | Barnes and Noble | iBooks Check out my review HERE.  "A completely original--and totally engrossing--world, full of smart girls, handsome boys and sinister mysteries...Sign me up." - Meg Cabot, NYT Bestselling Author of The Princess Diaries on A School for Unusual Girls

EXILE FOR DREAMERS Series: Stranje House, Book 2 Tess Aubreyson can't run far enough or fast enough to escape the prophetic dreams that haunt her. But with Napoleon threatening to invade England, Tess's disturbing dreams may be the only means of saving Lord Ravencross, the man she loves, and her friends at Stranje House. Buy Link: Amazon eBook | Barnes and Noble | iBooks Check out my review HERE. "This spy school for girls . . . is impossible to put down! . . . I recommend this book to anyone that loves brave girls, adventure and great friendships." - 5 Girls Book Reviews

Giveaway

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Prizes up for grabs:
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$10 Gift Card + hardback copy of Refuge for Masterminds

Contest runs from May 15 - June 3, 2017.

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About Kathleen Baldwin

Kathleen Baldwin loves adventure in books and in real life. She taught rock climbing in the Rockies, survival camped in the desert, was stalked by a mountain lion, lost an argument with a rattlesnake, spent way too long in college, fell in love and married her very own hero.

A SCHOOL FOR UNUSUAL GIRLS, the first book in the alternate history series for teens, was awarded Spirit of Texas in 2016, is a Junior Library Guild selection, and Kansas NEA Reading Circle gave it a starred review in their 2016 Best of the Best for High Schools. Ian Bryce, producer of Spiderman, Saving Private Ryan, and other notable films optioned the series for film.

REFUGE FOR MASTERMINDS, Book 3 in the Stranje House series, releases May 23rd.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot calls this romantic Regency adventure, "completely original and totally engrossing."

Official website:  http://kathleenbaldwin.com/

Social media links:

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr | Pinterest | Google+ | Amazon | Goodreads

Join The Tour

Follow the book tour from May 15 - June 3, 2017.

Get sneak peaks, excerpts, fun facts and other never-before-published info on Refuge for Masterminds.

Click here to check the latest tour schedule.

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Audiobook Review: Map of Fates (The Conspiracy of Us #2) by Maggie Hall

Book info:
Title:  Map of Fates 
Author:  Maggie Hall
Series:  The Conspiracy of Us #2 
Genre:  YA adventure and romance
Published:  March 8th, 2016
Source:  Digital audiobook downloaded from public library

I listened to the first book in this series, The Conspiracy of Us, back in November, and was immediately impressed by this story.   The first book had so many secrets and plot points that we did find the answers to, but those also led to more secrets and mysteries that were what made up this second book in the story.  And the ending of the first book, let me just reiterate that it was a WHOA ending.  One that I really loved, and that was actually part of my favorite storyline in this second book, even if events in the 2nd book changed what kind of outcome I wanted for that little twist.  Now, if you haven't read the first book yet, then you need to click on the link at the beginning of this paragraph, because there will be some spoilers for that book here, especially when I talk about the big twist I just mentioned.

We are back with Avery and Jack.  Since they discovered the clues to Alexander the Great's tomb, left by Napoleon, they are on a deadline of two weeks to try to find the location to give to the dangerous group, the Order.  The reason Avery must do this, instead of just helping find it for her family, the Circle, is because the Order has kidnapped her mother and threatened to kill her if Avery doesn't give them what they want.  While she and Jack are together constantly, Stellan is often dropping in to help, with whatever resources he can provide.  Since Avery is the girl with the purple eyes that every family in the Circle wants to marry to their oldest son and heir, imagine the surprise at the end of the last one when Avery and Jack and Stellan discovered that Stellan was actually "the One" that Avery was supposed to have a union with in order to find the weapon in Alexander's tomb.

When Avery and Jack run into a dead end in the country where they start, Avery gives in to let her family help, at least enough that they can get passports and travel to destinations that she and Jack can continue to hunt.  But the problem is that her father wants her to go meet with all the possible heirs for her to marry and pick one.  Avery agrees to do this, since many of the locations will be places she wants to go in her search.  Until she and Jack know what they are looking for, they don't want to let anyone know about Stellan just yet.  They figure that is one card up their sleeve that they can hold back. Especially since Avery doesn't want to marry any of these heirs.  She is in love with Jack, although there is something about Stellan that is intriguing, even with his infuriating ways.

Things don't go that smoothly just because they have the help of the family though.  In fact, more tragedy occurs as the sons that she's met with end up getting murdered by the Order, and one is even killed when she is sitting right next to him.

It turns out that it isn't really the Order that they have to worry about in the end, and finding Alexander's tomb may turn out to be the salvation to the weapon that is not what was expected, and one that is way worse than anyone could have imagined.

I have to say that I'm totally Team Stellan now.  And the deaths in this book were really major ones that totally blew me away.  Now, I have to wait another year for the next book, and I can't wait to see where the author will take this story next, as my brain is just stumped on what in the world they can do to stop this.  And I loved that as I was listening to this audiobook, I was also reading Empire of Dust by Eleanor Herman, which is about Alexander the Great, so it was fun to hear theories in today's world alongside the fantasy historical world of the book I was reading.

Audiobook Review: The Conspiracy of Us by Maggie Hall

This was my next book that I chose to listen to as an audio book from the library.  And wow, was it good!  So good that there were times I didn't want to get out of my car to go do whatever I was supposed to be doing, because I wasn't ready to stop listening!  Now I know what all the hype about this book was about, and I can't wait for the next one to come out!

The main character is Avery.  She has had to move a lot throughout her whole life because of her mom's job. Whenever her mom gets a mandate, they move on to the next location.  In the current place they're living, Avery has tried to make friends and join in, and has even found a cute guy that is newer than she is, Jack, who might be interested in her as well. But when she sees a paper drop from his stuff, and she picks it up to find a picture of herself, she wonders what is going on. She then hears him on a phone call, but he has an English accent.  Her mom gets a mandate, which means they have to move right away, but Avery wants to go to prom with Jack, so she sneaks out to go.  At prom another very attractive guy, but also new to the area, shows up. This guy, Stellan, tells Avery she has to go with him, and he even pulls out a knife to threaten her.  Jack tries to get her away and explain that he might know who her father is, but then he gets a text, and tells her to go ahead with Stellan, and he'll catch up later.  She goes with Stellan, still with the chance to meet her father.  But this takes her on a private plane to Paris.  Stellan is one of those attractive guys, who knows he is, and is smug, even while being flirtatious.  Oh, and he is Russian.

Once in Paris, Avery gets a room in the Louvre, and finds out that this family she's been brought to join is part of "The Circle" which is made up of many politicians, movie stars, sports stars, etc.  But after being out shopping at a designer store, shut down just for her to pick a ball gown for an event coming up with all the families, she is attacked, and learns about a group called The Order. The Order is out to kill "The One,"  a male from one of the 12 families in the Circle.  She learns that the mandate means something to them, it is a prophecy that tells them The One, must have a union with the girl with the purple eyes.  Well, the family that Stellan works for is expecting twin babies, one a girl, that should have purple eyes.  But, Avery has purple eyes.  And she knows that if anyone else knows, they will think the prophecy is about her, and she will be married off.  So she escapes, first to Istanbul, where she is able to get to Jack again, and they now are on the run, trying to solve the clues left by an old neighbor of Avery's, who turns out to be Jack's mentor, and hoping to solve the clues, and get him back from the Order, who is going to kill him.

So many secrets, so many layers to the whole story.  I loved the whole Alexander the Great back story.  And how Napoleon tied into it.  And the ending, wow, left with a big cliffhanger.  I need to know what will happen with Stellan, how his part in the mandate will affect Avery's part.  And can she be with Jack, even though it is against all of the rules of The Circle.  I really had no complaints about the story whatsoever.  Other than there were a few times when something dangerous was going on, and Avery was calling Jack's name, and on the recording it began to remind me of Rose calling Jack in the Titanic movie.  I now cannot wait until the 2nd book comes out.  Which, hey, now I'm wondering if the egalley is available anywhere?  Guess I'll finish this review and go out to check on that!

Review: A School for Unusual Girls (Stranje House #1) by Kathleen Baldwin

First, thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan/Tor Teen for allowing me to read an e-galley of this title.  I must say it had intrigued me from the synopsis, but when I picked it up I had kind of gotten worried it wouldn't live up to the summary.  However I'm pleased to say that it was a good read, one that was hard to put down to do anything else, even though I did have to go back to work after lunch as well as go to sleep at night.  I was a little worried I might be even somewhat bored with the history, but at the end the author talks about how the history in it is actually a bit of a change from what really happened.  Not that I would have known what was different was changed, as that is not a period in history that I've paid a lot of attention to in the past. 

The main character is Miss Georgianna Fitzwilliam.  She has just been shipped away by her parents for setting their barn on fire. And this isn't the first time that she's done something so unladylike. The year is 1814 and girls are expected to find a husband.  But Georgianna has never been a normal girl.  In fact she doesn't care if she finds a man. She is more curious about science things and what she's read.  Well her parents are embarrassed by her and so they ship her off to this school.  The school that when they take a tour there are girls on a stretching rack, and in a coffin that is filled with nails. And there is blood leaking out of the bottom of the coffin.  Georgianna tries to run when her parents go to sign the papers, and gets lost.  But in getting lost she stumbles upon two men discussing the very thing she was doing that caused her to set the barn on fire.  They are saying how they need her invisible ink, to send messages to save lives.  So now she is really confused.  And when she finds her way back to where Miss Stranje, her parents have left.  And she finds that things may not be as they seem.  She meets the other girls when she is taken to her room.  They are all wondering about her and going through her luggage as they try to figure her out.  All of them have their own "talents" or reasons that they were dropped off at the school. 

She will learn that her invisible ink is needed to try to help keep Napoleon from coming back and taking over again.  And she will have to work with Lord Wyatt to help England.  Of course he is the kind of guy that irks her, while also making her smile.  Working together they will grow to know each other and see what can be done for their country.  We will also learn about the other girls a little, and see the love interest that will probably be the big part of the next book focused on her.  There will be a kidnapping, a race to get the ink formula in the right hands, and a very daring rescue attempt. 

If you're a fan of books with girls who know what they want to do and are good at, and use their talents to do good, you will enjoy this.  The villains are also interesting, and have definitely real reasons for being the way they are.  I'm excited to read on and see what else these girls will do, as well as what will happen with this alternate history, if they will be able to get things back onto the track as they are today.

2013 Truman Possibility 14: How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous by Georgia Bragg

I can't remember a book like this being on the Truman list before, but I have been intrigued by this book since I first saw it either early this year, or around this time last year.  When I saw it one night working at the bookstore, I picked it up and turned right to the story about George Washington and was hooked.  I even immediately went and told my school librarian she needed to order it for the library. Which she did, so I have to say I was very excited to see it on the nominees for the next group of Truman books.
The book gives a short bit on what each person was famous for, just in case you don't know.  Then it goes in to how they died.  Sometimes it may be something that they dealt with for most of their life.  Sometimes it was something done incorrectly at the very end.  All in all it was very fascinating.  Learning how Cleopatra died, as opposed to what we all "know" to be her death.  Learning about how doctors used to treat people by bloodletting, and with leeches.  All things that I'd heard of, but until this book, didn't necessarily understand how they worked.  Hearing about how James Garfield when assassinated, might have survived the bullet if only all those many different doctors hadn't just stuck their unclean, not sterilized hands into the wound just digging to get out a bullet that hadn't actually even hit any vital organs.
Yeah, it may sound kind of gory, but I think there are kids, or even people my age (like me) who find this kind of factual story about history to be fascinating.  I know so many kids that would probably get a kick out of the this book.  I purchased my copy from the school book fair this year.  I will be putting it on my shelf at school for the other kids to read as soon as I buy some more of the library cards and pockets to put in the front of the books for the kids to check out.
Some of the other well known people include Napoleon Bonaparte, and just why he held his stomach like that, Henry VIII, Beethoven, Mozart, Marie Curie, and many more!!  I've even talked to one of our Social Studies teachers at school because I think there is so much they could get out of this.  It's not just about how they died, you learn that it wasn't until JFK that there was really any Secret Service for protecting the president.  Even after the other assassinations, they didn't think it was so necessary.  So lots of historical tidbits besides the gory details of the deaths.  Great, great book!

P.S. - This review is coming to you live from Koffee Cake Corner Bakery in NYC!!  I'm here visiting my sister in order to see the midnight premiere of Breaking Dawn part 2 tonight.

Falling in Love With English Boys by Melissa Jensen

Believe it or not, as much as I enjoy chick lit, I normally don't get into teen "romance" novels anymore. What I prefer in chick lit is that I feel a connection or similarity to the main character, in other words, she can't be married or divorced or have children, as I have or am none of those things. And as I am not a teen, I usually don't get into their romance. (Don't bug me about Twilight, I know it's a teen romance, and I love it because Bella reminds me of myself!)

Anyway, I got this as a stripped copy from the bookstore. I picked it up because I too enjoy a good British accent, I prefer an Irish one, but British is good too. This story also has a diary in it, reminds me a bit of another book I read recently, Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly, only not as serious. Our main character is Cat, and she has had to travel with her mom, or (s)mother as she calls her, to England so her mother can work at the British Museum on an author named Mary Percival. Apparently Mary had a daughter named Katherine, same name, just with a K, and Cat's mom gives her Katherine's diary to read. The diary is a fun read and look into the past, back into days of going to parties, and the time of going to war with Napoleon. While she is there, there is of course a cute British boy that Cat meets, and of course develops a crush on. Issues arise as you would expect, and so therein lies the romance.

I also found it amusing that the character wants to run into Prince William and hook up with him, as this prince just got married and is no longer on the market.

A fun, humorous read that I really got into. I tried to just keep it for reading during bubble baths, but I really got caught up in the story and ended up finishing it in bed one last week, well last week depending on when blogger lets me publish this post.