At Love's Bidding by Regina Jennings is the second book in the Ozark Mountain Romance series and it is set in 1873. Miranda Wimplegate is used to staying in the shadows. She does not like being the center of attention and you can tell from the dull clothes that she wears in colors that will make her blend in with her surroundings. Miranda works at her family's auction house Wimplegate Auction House (not very original) in Boston, Massachusetts. The family sold a painting that was not supposed to be in the auction (so who put it there). Miranda and her grandfather, Elmer Wimplegate (who seems to be having memory issues) go to Pine Gap (where the purchases mailed the painting) to retrieve the painting which will protect the reputation of their auction house. In order to ensure that they get the painting, the purchase the auction house in Pine Gap (sight unseen). What they do not know is that the auction house caters to animals (and whatever else anyone wishes to sell).
Wyatt Ballentine is the manager of the sale barn at the auction house in Pine Gap. He has been saving up to buy it and is upset when he finds out that the owner sold it to outsiders. Wyatt is hoping he can convince Miranda and Elmer that this is not the business for them and get them to sell the auction house to him. Wyatt does not anticipate Miranda and her determined nature. Miranda will have her hands full with keeping an eye on her grandfather (who is getting worse each day), looking for the painting, and not letting Wyatt know what she is looking for in the auction house. I think Miranda and Wyatt are in for an adventure!
At Love's Bidding is a cute novel. I liked the main characters (especially Wyatt) and the setting of Pine Gap. There are some interesting people in this delightful little town. At Love's Bidding is fun and easy to read. I give At Love's Bidding 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). I liked seeing Miranda grow and blossom during the course of the novel. At Love's Bidding can be read without having enjoyed the first book in the series. I look forward to the next book in the Ozark Mountain Romance series.
I received a complimentary copy of At Love's Bidding from NetGalley and The Book Club Inc. (and the publisher) in exchange for an honest review.
Wyatt Ballentine is the manager of the sale barn at the auction house in Pine Gap. He has been saving up to buy it and is upset when he finds out that the owner sold it to outsiders. Wyatt is hoping he can convince Miranda and Elmer that this is not the business for them and get them to sell the auction house to him. Wyatt does not anticipate Miranda and her determined nature. Miranda will have her hands full with keeping an eye on her grandfather (who is getting worse each day), looking for the painting, and not letting Wyatt know what she is looking for in the auction house. I think Miranda and Wyatt are in for an adventure!
At Love's Bidding is a cute novel. I liked the main characters (especially Wyatt) and the setting of Pine Gap. There are some interesting people in this delightful little town. At Love's Bidding is fun and easy to read. I give At Love's Bidding 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). I liked seeing Miranda grow and blossom during the course of the novel. At Love's Bidding can be read without having enjoyed the first book in the series. I look forward to the next book in the Ozark Mountain Romance series.
I received a complimentary copy of At Love's Bidding from NetGalley and The Book Club Inc. (and the publisher) in exchange for an honest review.
Funny yet serious misadventures with an auction house
In At Love's Bidding by Regina Jennings, Miranda Wimplegate has helped her family for years during the auction process. At one particular auction, however, her grandfather sells a portrait which doesn't match the catalog description. The buyer gave a false name but was overheard shipping the portrait to Missouri. One thing leads to another, and Miranda's grandfather purchases an auction house in the town where the portrait was shipped. When he travels west to find the portrait (and restructure the practices at the newly-purchased auction house in order to make a profit), Miranda goes with him to keep an eye on him and his health.
Overall, I thought this was a good book. It included themes about aging relatives and trying to allow them freedom while also attempting to keep them from outlandish catastrophes of their own making. Other family dynamics such as feelings of never measuring up to your family's expectations were also included. Mostly, I enjoyed the book, but with about 20% of the book still to read, I started scratching my head in confusion. It just didn't make any sense to me at that point. However, I continued to read and eventually the storyline got back on track. The ending was good, although it wasn't exactly what I expected.
I received a copy of this book through The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review.
In At Love's Bidding by Regina Jennings, Miranda Wimplegate has helped her family for years during the auction process. At one particular auction, however, her grandfather sells a portrait which doesn't match the catalog description. The buyer gave a false name but was overheard shipping the portrait to Missouri. One thing leads to another, and Miranda's grandfather purchases an auction house in the town where the portrait was shipped. When he travels west to find the portrait (and restructure the practices at the newly-purchased auction house in order to make a profit), Miranda goes with him to keep an eye on him and his health.
Overall, I thought this was a good book. It included themes about aging relatives and trying to allow them freedom while also attempting to keep them from outlandish catastrophes of their own making. Other family dynamics such as feelings of never measuring up to your family's expectations were also included. Mostly, I enjoyed the book, but with about 20% of the book still to read, I started scratching my head in confusion. It just didn't make any sense to me at that point. However, I continued to read and eventually the storyline got back on track. The ending was good, although it wasn't exactly what I expected.
I received a copy of this book through The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review.
