PAULA'S REVIEW:
In this third book of American Royalty series we meet characters from past books. Kit Quincy who was a losing contestant from book 1 is the hero of this story. Kit is a wealthy hotel owner and part of the elite New York scene of 1883. Delia Vittoria is an up and coming opera singer slated to take over her mother’s role as Diva of the famed Academy Opera House.
Among the patroness wars of the season, the rich matrons have picked this time to launch Delia into prominence and have selected Kit to help her. Both Kit and Delia rely on God to order their steps. “Lord you are all I need. You are all I have ever needed.”
This story has more drama, secrets and intrigue than the other two books. But Ms. Hitchcock still gives us colorful characters and a solid faith background to the main actors. Incorporating the Phantom into this tale of the Opera was genius and the reveal of his identity was an eye opener. While the story did deal with scandal, infidelity and machinations of the rich, they were shown in an unfavorable light.
I highly recommend this series of American Royalty. Join the fun in the Gilded Age.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.* 4 stars and a solid faith thread.
REBECCA'S REVIEW:
" . . . there was a flash of something behind his eyes she did not quite understand but felt in her heart that she had just agreed to a friendship that could change everything."
The opportunity to become the lead soprano for the Academy of Music's aging, but historic opera house was a dream come true for Delia Vittoria, she just regretted that it had come at the expense of her mother's fine voice and possibly (probably!) Madre's questionable lifestyle. (she had made the wrong woman mad) The New York Knickerbockers were not going to allow the newly rich and their opulent Metropolitan Opera House win the city's popularity contest, and Delia was going to be their ticket for success. Pairing her up with confirmed bachelor Kit Quincy as a patron (and undercover suitor), Delia was suddenly able to meet people and frequent establishments where she had previously been shunned, it was practically a dream come true. Except . . . it was all a part of the show . . . she had to remember that. . . for even the resident phantom was going to be making a re-appearance.
Kit Quincy was quite satisfied with his life, wasn't he? It only took a few moments in the presence of the beautiful Delia Vittoria to introduce (after a rather misunderstood first introduction) second thoughts about bachelorhood, before they were both swept up in a lavish scheme to save the opera house, "forcing them" to spend an inordinate amount of time together, which Kit began to think was not a bad idea after all. Pleasure turned into admiration, and admiration turned into . . . could he think it, much less define it . . . as love? Darn it, Delia had made it very clear, after witnessing her parents' terrible marriage, that her career was, and always would be, her one and only love.
This author's lovely writing style makes it easy to turn the pages while thoroughly enjoying the characters and their conversations, the plot building and twisting through multiple curves and corners . . . hitting a few unexpected dead-ends (planned, of course) and popping out more than a few surprises. Being a part of these characters lives (yes, it certainly feels like that) was a total pleasure and their growing faith was truly inspirational.
"There is no fear in love, for perfect love casteth out fear . . . "
*I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. I also purchased a copy. The opinions stated above are entirely my own. 4.5 stars
BackCover Blurb:
Behind the curtain, she must put on the performance of a lifetime . . . while love and risk take center stage.
Delia
Vittoria's mother has lost her voice at last. After five years of being
her diva mother's understudy, it is time for Delia to assume her place
as the lead soprano onstage behind the Academy of Music's faded velvet
curtain. And she is all that stands between the Academy and its greatest
threat--the nouveaux riches' lavish new Metropolitan Opera House.
Kit
Quincy never misses opening night, but when his sister begs him to help
get her husband out of an Italian opera star's arms, Kit accidentally
confronts the younger Lady Vittoria instead. When he meets the stunning
young diva again, he attempts to make amends, but then finds himself
pulled into a society matron's plot to win the great opera war. To draw
attention to Delia Vittoria as the Academy's new soprano star, Kit is
convinced to act as both Delia's patron and the enigmatic phantom who
once haunted the Academy years ago. But when a second phantom appears,
more than Delia's rising career is threatened.
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