Jill E. Warner

I am truly impressed with this debut novel by Jill E. Warner which is so beautifully written. Warner completely changes one’s preconceived ideals of what a regency romance book normally looks like, and forces one to take a real hard look at the effects of prejudice which holds true even today.

I was pulled into Anna's story from the very beginning. She is one of the strongest heroines I have read in a long time, never letting the rudeness or the meanness of others change her. I experienced many emotions throughout this book from felling distraught to laughing. Watching Anna’s interactions with her two charges as a governess were definitely some of my favorite scenes. The connection she formed through her love of them was so heartwarming, and the strength that they both gained from her was awesome.

William Thaxton, a natural born problem solver, who pays attention to details, soon recognizes the value of Anna as they slowly grew together. Anna and William’s journey to love is precious, moving, and unforgettable.

I will not soon forget this engaging story, and highly recommend Of Jasmine and Roses, a wonderful Historical Romance.

I received an ARC copy Of Jasmine and Roses from the publisher, Covenant Communications, via NetGalley. I was not required to give a favorable review, and all opinions are my own.… (mehr)

I was so impressed with this debut novel! It is so polished and written beautifully. I loved that it completely brushes aside any preconceived ideas of what a regency romance book can look like, and forces you to take a look at the effects of prejudice on individuals and society.

I loved how Jill balanced Anna’s struggles and background, with the slow burn romance and wit of the characters.

Anna is a strong, independent character. I loved how she had a head on her shoulders, and could look at situations without losing her mind. She still had so much to learn, and she goes through a lot of growth in this book, but she doesn’t back down when life gets tough, and she pushes forward, regardless of the forces acting against her.

Honestly, this book really brought out the part of me that gets all fired up over cruelty and wants justice and fairness for everyone. Ha! I was extremely invested in Anna’s story, and several times while reading, stopped and ranted to my husband about how horrible people can be to others they don’t understand. Fear is a powerful motivator—and this book perfectly illustrates that love is it’s antidote.

I was on William’s side right away because of how he could look past society’s predilection for shunning those with darker skin and make his own judgements, getting to know the person instead of her looks. Yep, give me that kind of hero any day.

Bless dear Lucy for showing William where he messed up and pushing him to make the right choices. IYKYK — and you want to know. Lucy is a force to be reckoned with, and I hopehopehope Jill is planning to write her story.

If you love regency love stories that are more than just romance, that buck the conventions and format we sometimes come to expect with romances and regency storytelling, and books that include beautiful writing and multiple cultures, it’s time to give this one a try.

**I received a copy from the author, without expectation of a positive review. It’s a beautiful book, inside and out, and those are my own feelings on the matter.… (mehr)

4-4.5 stars!

What a fabulous debut by Jill E. Warner! I enjoyed this heartfelt story of an orphaned, biracial young woman trying to navigate Victorian English Society with all its rules and prejudices. As the niece of a viscountess, Anna’s entitled to a certain amount of respect, however after losing her inheritance and with her mixed English/Indian heritage, she’s often looked down upon and treated with disdain.

After working in several governess positions, she finally feels like she’s found an acceptable situation. Her charges are two young women, one on the cusp of adulthood, and the other a delightful, often overlooked 10-year-old. She finds joy in hesitantly teaching them about India and helping their new to Society mother navigate the ton.

When Lady Spencer hosts a house party, Anna’s surprised to find her estranged relatives in attendance. Trying to balance her position with the need to interact with her family and the house guests makes for a precarious situation especially when one of her charges has a terrible accident. Add to that the dashing William Thaxton who seems to be the only person who really sees and understands Anna. He’s there to garner support for his budding political career, but will a friendship with Anna help him or hurt him?

I enjoyed how the author balanced Anna’s hardships with a slow burn romance & touch of humor. I loved William’s first meeting with Anna. He has such an endearing personality and I loved all their interactions & witty banter. Loved the way Anna is so free when she’s with him.

While some of the things Anna suffers are hard to read, she’s a strong person who triumphs over her afflictions with dignity and grace. I loved Anna’s and William’s growth as they learn to accept themselves and overcome others’ expectations for them. When Anna finally stands up for herself, I found myself cheering.

The author also does a great job humanizing the other characters. Most aren’t just cookie cutter, prejudiced villains. In most cases, there’s real hurt behind the prejudice and I enjoyed seeing some of those conflicts resolved or at least acknowledged. Anna also discovers her own misconceptions about her relatives’ feelings. I particularly loved her aunt, the feisty Lady Tilney, and the crusty earl.

It’s an impressive first novel and I look forward to reading more by this author! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.… (mehr)