BLAST, BLITZ, PROMOS, REVEALS, & TOURS . . . : TOUR w/EXCERPT - HISTORICAL - A Modest Independence (Parish Orphans of Devon, #2) by Mimi Matthews

A Modest Independence
Parish Orphans of Devon, #2
by Mimi Matthews

Publication Date: April 23rd 2019

Perfectly Proper Press

eBook; 400 Pages

Genre: Historical Romance

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . A MODEST INDEPENDENCE (Parish Orphans of Devon, #2) . . . There was something missing with Tom and Jenny. They each were looking for something that would round out their lives. Neither expecting or knowing the other was just around the corner.

I enjoyed their story. I enjoyed getting to know the two. I enjoyed their journeys around the British Empire holdings'. The history. The vibrancy of the era. The characters. The romance. All these things together should have given me the historical fiction romance that I was wanting on this day, but there was just something that I was looking for that I did not find. I very much enjoyed the read but loved book one of the series so much more.

BLURB
He Needed Peace…

Attorney Tom Finchley has spent his life using his devious intellect to solve the problems of others. As for his own problems, they’re nothing that a bit of calculated vengeance can’t remedy. But that’s all over now. He’s finally ready to put the past behind him and settle down to a quiet, uncomplicated life. If only he could find an equally uncomplicated woman.

She Wanted Adventure…

Former lady’s companion Jenny Holloway has just been given a modest independence. Now, all she wants is a bit of adventure. A chance to see the world and experience life far outside the restrictive limits of Victorian England. If she can discover the fate of the missing Earl of Castleton while she’s at it, so much the better. From the gaslit streets of London to the lush tea gardens of colonial India, Jenny and Tom embark on an epic quest—and an equally epic romance. But even at the farthest edges of the British Empire, the past has a way of catching up with you…

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EXCERPT

A Modest Independence by Mimi Matthews
Excerpt from Chapter Four

It was only a short distance to the pier. When they arrived, they were greeted by the prospect of a churning sea. A handful of travelers were gathered on the dock, all of them bundled up against the frigid weather.

Tom disembarked first. “Careful. Mind the step.”

Jenny clung to his hand as she stepped down from the carriage. The wind whipped at her skirts and at the ribbons of her bonnet. It was cold as ice, biting at her face and stinging her eyes.

After months of living on the North Devon coast with Helena and Mr. Thornhill, she was accustomed to the smell of sea air and the peculiar force of the wind as it blew in from over the water. But like everything else, this was different. The beach at Greyfriar’s Abbey was isolated. Lonely. Dover, by contrast, was teeming with industry.

A steamer ship was docked in the harbor, near to where the crowd of people were gathered. Men in rough coats and wool trousers moved up and down a narrow wooden gangplank, loading the ship with crates, leather cases, and great waterproof trunks like Jenny’s.

“The Onyx,” she said. “That’s my ship, isn’t it?”

Tom stood close at her side. “It is.” He cast her a look. “Scared?”

“No.”

The carriage was stopped behind them, the driver hunched over on the box. He likely couldn’t hear them over the wind. And he certainly didn’t seem interested in what it was they were saying or doing.

Gathering her courage, Jenny turned to face Tom. “Please don’t walk me to the ship,” she said in a rush. “I’d rather say goodbye to you here.”

Tom’s expression was guarded. Almost unreadable. He cleared his throat. “As to that—”

“Please. I don’t think I could bear it if you were to stand on the dock waving me off. It’s difficult enough as it is.”

“Why should it be difficult?”

“I don’t know.” The wind blew the silk ribbon ties of her bonnet across her mouth. She brushed them away. “You and I are a puzzle, aren’t we? To me, anyway. I’ve resolved to chalk it up to one of those unfortunate pangs that we discussed last evening.”

Tom gave her an arrested look. “Longing, do you mean?”

“Yes. I suppose that’s it.”

“For me?”

She flushed. “Why not?” And then, before she could talk herself out of it, she stood up on the toes of her boots and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Goodbye, Tom. Perhaps, someday—if you ever have the inclination—you might write to me in India.”

Tom stared down at her, his Adam’s apple bobbing on a swallow. When at last he replied, his voice was deeper than usual. “I won’t be writing to you, Jenny.”

Her stomach dropped. “Oh.” She took a step back from him. A surge of embarrassment clogged her throat, making it difficult to speak. “Yes, of course. I perfectly understand.”

“No, you don’t. There won’t be any need to write because…I’m coming with you.”

About the Author

USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews (A Victorian Lady’s Guide to Fashion and Beauty, The Matrimonial Advertisement) writes both historical non-fiction and traditional historical romances set in Victorian England. Her articles on nineteenth century history have been published on various academic and history sites, including the Victorian Web and the Journal of Victorian Culture, and are also syndicated weekly at BUST Magazine. In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes an Andalusian dressage horse, two Shelties, and two Siamese cats. For more information, please visit Mimi Matthews’ website and blog. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, BookBub, Pinterest, Google+, and Goodreads.