Once Upon a Storm. My fellow readers, this is third time I’ve come across a writer who’s new to me. Apparently this writer has been a writer for quite sometime and not only that, I believe her writing is impeccable. I get all excited inside when I read a book that tells me a story that plays like a movie for my imagination. First off I want to say that Simon is my favorite character and I wish that I could have a husband like him.
I wouldn’t complain not one bit. The man knows how to take care of his woman in each and every way. Pen you are a lucky woman. The romance between the two is a slow burn, however it’s the story that builds between the two that is so genuine and works with the plot, as well as the characters. I believe the plot was very compelling.
It grips at the heart of Simon and Pen’s fears. Fears that prevents them from moving beyond that destination that they both seek. Can they rely on the love and trust from family? Friends? Neighbors? How about Land Agents? Hmmm. I don’t know.
But I do know this. A certain family member is a dog and I would have given him a facer when he tried raising the cane at anyone. Look I absolutely loved reading this story. I definitely look forward to reading more from this reader and I think that you should too. This writers creativity in storytelling is truly something special.
Only a few people have this gift. I have read two other writers like this. I give this book two snaps and a - Mr. Inchwick, you have five seconds as quick as your feeble old little hip can move. Until next time my fellow readers. Read on!

A beautifully written and perfectly paced historical romance. I really enjoyed this one.

When Captain Simon Harcourt returns home with the plan to breed exotic horses his father the Earl of Ravesncroft promises to finance his dream, but only if he flattens the local village which the hard-nosed Earl feels destroys his view of the local countryside.

Meanwhile local villager Penelope Waverly, who has suffered through many hardships, both through her own trauma and the loss of her father, and possibly soon to lose her home, wants to desperately find a way to help save the local village.

Simon and Penelope who were once childhood friends have both led such extraordinarily different lives but as they are now brought back together under pressure filled circumstances the chemistry between them is obvious.

Built into the storyline is an undertow of mystery surrounding the disappearance of Simon's mother when he was a young boy. Penelope thinks she is helping by digging through the past, but is it a mystery she is better to leave unsolved?

I was hooked from beginning to end. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read Once Upon a Storm. A solid 4.5 star read for me, rounded up to 5.

From the first page to the last you will spellbound by Once Upon a Storm. It has all the elements that historical romance readers love from weaving true historical facts with an extraordinary fictional romance. It's a confusing web one weaves when the plot is to deceive and greed!
Kimberly Cates has given readers a book that is well-written, with betrayal, secrets, and brims with tension building twists. She's filled it with great cast of characters that come off the pages and pull you into this emotional ride that keeps you involved until the very end, great dialogue and with a strong plot that leaves you eagerly anticipating the next in the series.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion. Uhh

Started out slow but was thoughtful and eventful once it got going. Two wounded people finding each other and finding how to help each other is beautifully rendered here. It’s emotional and intense and may not be for everyone but I was surprised at how good it was.

I haven't read anything by Ms. Cates before, so I was excited to try a new author. I was not disappointed! This is the first book of the Struck by Lightning series featuring a strong and spirited heroine, Penelope. Simon enters the military at a young age to put distance between him and his father. He rather came to like it, and has now been summoned back by his father. His father offers to fund his stud farm, but in return he wants the Village of Evendene torn down. If Simon doesn't do his father's bidding, then he will be disowned. Penelope has been hit with much tragedy during her life, and it has made her the strong woman she is today. She has been the one holding her family together. She knew Simon growing up and is shocked when she hears of his plans. She will do anything to save her village people. When Penelope finally gets through to Simon's conscious, the two work closely together to make things right. An in the process, they grow closer and sparks begin to fly.
I enjoyed the interactions and banter between the two. Penelope is an intelligent and witty woman, so the dialogue was always fun to read. I would definitely like to continue the series.
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review

What a delightful find. This is the first time I have read this author and I am in awe. I loved Simon and Penelope love story. The depth of the story, characters, and love was WOW!! I was enthralled by the layers of emotions that were so vital to the story. I would High recommend!

Sweet romance, with two former child friends that time and life circumstances put them apart, and current situations brought them back together.

Sweet, romantic.

Kimberly Cates is a new to me the author and I am so glad I discovered her with this book. Her writing grabbed me from the start.
Captain Simon Harcourt lost his mom mysteriously at early age. Penelope Waverly  was struck by lightning when she was a young girl. Now Simon has returned to a home full of bad memories to breed his rare horses in honor of a fallen friend.
Penelope's family are short on funds due to her late fathers bad dealings. She is now forced to work, unlike the luxury she grew up with.
Now the two childhood acquaintances have to work together to help the people of village below the manor when Simon's cruel father the Earl of Ravenscroft makes a bargain with Simon. They didn't count on needing each other so much, in so many ways. While uncovering the past & hoping for a future they both find hope in each other.
I absolutely loved the strong character of Penelope. Free spirited, and caring for all others, yet fierce in how she feels. I loved how simon shows what a real gentleman should be. He is loyal, honest and caring.
This was an amazing story with brilliant writing & details to make you want be part of the story. You won't be able to put it down.

Two childhood friends find a way to bring both their dreams closer to realization. Simon wants to raise race horses, and Penelope would like to become an architect. Simon’s father has charged him with tearing down the village at the edge of their estate, Penelope comes up with plans for the village in a new location. Their plans seem sound, but disaster strikes during a horrible storm. The storm, however, may not be the only culprit. These two intelligent, caring, wonderful people must discover who or what is at the root of the problem. If they succeed, there will be happily ever after for a lot of people, including Simon and Abby. Emotion, schemes, danger, romance. Interesting story.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily reviewing it.

A complex and emotional story of family, betrayals, lies, sorrowful memories. trust, new beginning and so much more. I really enjoyed this journey, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to real a beautiful story. Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Simon makes a devil's bargain with his father, who plans to move the local village to a new location. Architect's daughter Penelope convinces Simon to build better-designed houses to improve the tenants' quality of life. While working together, they fall in love. Will family secrets tear them apart?

There's a lot going on in this book. In addition to the main storyline, Simon and Penelope are both dealing with past trauma. I love how determined and independent these characters are, and how they support each other.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Captain Simon Harcourt has returned to England, to keep his promise to his dying friend and that is to breed rare horses. Yet when his father, the Earl of Ravenscroft, offers to assist him, it is only with a desire for him to destroy the village that blocks his view from the manor house. It all seems possible except when Simon meets Penelope Waverly, a childhood friend, who is determined to protect the village. When she realises what Simon has agreed to, she is determined to not only change his mind but to uncover the secrets behind Simon’s past.
A romance that grew slowly despite the apparent attraction between Penelope and Simon, that also faced several obstacles. The pain of the past for Simon, was gradually revealed, making their romance quite challenging at times. However, it was sweet to see them resolved in their relationship. Plenty of great secondary characters to add greater depth to this story, which will make for an interesting series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

There was intrigue as well as romance in this book and secrets that had to be dug into. The book could have been predictable but threw in enough surprises to keep interesting, the twists and turns keep you guessing until the very end. It did have times when it was a little slow paced but then picked up again. Very enjoyable. My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read.

Ahh this was so much fun to read! The story weaves through the past and present, a mystery with twists and turns.. it was long but worth it!

Wow, this book has a lot going on, past and present. Simon Harcourt has just returned from fighting in Afghanistan returning as Captain. He has come back to his childhood home for his brother, Lucien asked him to. His father, The Earl of Ravenscroft had an accident and was brought here to heal. Simon and his father never got along. The Earl is an uncaring, hard man. He is all about keeping up with the ton and what they think. He cares for no one but what the upper crust feel is correct. Simon left to join the military to get away from him. Now he is back in the house he never wanted to see again. Evendene, nothing but bad memory's wait there. His mother left her children when he was young and he never saw her again. His father kept him and Lucien but sent his sisters away to Italy. The Earl makes him an offer he can’t refuse tear now the Village of Everdene, relocate the people and he will fund his stud farm. If he doesn’t, he will be disowned and left broke. The Stud farm is a promise to his fallen friend and brother in arms, Jamie a Scotsman. They planned to return to England to raise special horses from Afghanistan. Penelope Waverly has been thru a lot in her life. She was strike by lighting as a child. She doesn’t remember much of that time as with the pain, she lost any memory of what happened. Right after this accident her father started drinking and lost most of the family's money. Her mother also changed and took to her bed a lot. It was up to her to look after her sisters and try to keep the family together. She became a governess to make money. She, Simon and Daw the carpenter use to play together as children. She is shocked to see Simon in town. When his plans for the village come out, she come up with a way to save the people she loves with his help. When secrets come out, the past and present come together not all in a good way. As they work together to right wrongs to the village and both learn more about each other sparks start to fly. There is a lot hidden in the past, evil people like the overseer who do anything to win. One can’t help but fall in love with Tripp the little boy tore from his family. This is a good read, a little long for me. I think there could have been more passion between our couple. The ending gives a hint of who the next book will be about. I received and ARC from the author and wish to thank her. This is my honest opinion and am freely giving it.

She’s a governess and a talented architect to boot. He is an ex soldier come to fulfill the dream he had with his best friend. Together they fought to better the lives of tenants against a corrupt land agent and a father that is just as odious. The villains are so detestable you will likely not realize you are clenching your jaws very hard. So their comeuppance and the couple’s subsequent HEA is infinitely satisfying.

I received an ARC from Netgalley and leaving my review voluntarily.

OMG! This is such a thought invoking story that will blow your mind. Such a story that leaps off the pages in multiple ways. With great strong characters, vivid imagery, plot twists, and meaningful dialogue. You get invoked with how the flow goes to finding what the characters are doing brings out more and more to find you get another plot twist that keeps you engrossed you can't put it down until you reach the end.

Captain Simon Harcourt, youngest son to the Earl of Ravenscroft, entered the military to escape his father. He found he liked it and now being summoned back by the earl, he is not happy. When the earl gives him a task to do with the incentive of getting funds to start a breeding stable of his own. A dream come true.

Lucien Harcourt, Viscount Everdene, heir to the Earldom, misses his brother and glad to have him home.

Barnabas Harcourt Earl of Ravenscroft, A bitter, hard-hearted old man.

Inchwick, stewart/land agent, A greedy, conniving, thieving man.

Penelope Waverly, strong, independent, intelligent woman who knows hard work will see her family through anything. She survived a tragedy as a child that helped shape her as an adult. Her father thought her about his passion for architecture and how to build things. Now her passion has included architecture and teach others to build a solid foundation they can live their lives on. She is a governess to support her family but uses the money to get her sister lessons that will make them sparkle on the marriage mart.

The earl wants to disinherit Simon if he can not do a simple task. Simon tries to wrap his mind and heart around why it would be good but can't. When he encounters Miss Waverly hiding a boy under her skirts to save him from a cruel person. This opens the past to come haunt both and starts to bring it back into the light. As memories start to surface, both find it difficult to block out the hurt and pain. But unanswered questions keep arising. As the puzzle pieces of the past intertwine with the present, these two work together in hopes of a brighter future.

So join in the mystery of the past, the revelation of the present, and the building of the future as you jaunt through fields, treehouses, and a ball. Cheer for the down trodden, the defender of the smaller, deeper ones, and the hero who wants better for them.

I so want to give you more but that would spoil this bold, courageous story.

A Cottage, Beautiful Horses, Lightning, Romance:
A complex and emotional story of family, betrayals, lies, sorrowful memories. trust, new beginning and so much more.
A lovely story that moved my heart and captured my attention all the way to the amazing end where the epilogue gave me quite a thrill and had my heart jump for joy.
A solid feel-good gripping romance story.

Thank you NetGalley and Kimberly Cates for an advanced reader copy of Once Upon a Storm.

This was my first time reading a Kimberly Cates’ novel and I was impressed. I loved how strong, confident and resilient Penelope was and how her spirit rubbed off on Simon. As Penelope and Simon’s relationship grew, Simon opened himself up and became selfless and wanting what was best for others even if it interfered with his own personal goals.

It was great seeing the romance between Penelope and Simon grow and evolve despite the interference with Simon's brother. I was so happy that Penelope didn't allow herself to be afraid of his brother!

There are a few twists and turns in this book which really enhanced the story and sets up the next book in the series really well. The end of the epilogue truly had me gasping, so looking forward to the next novel.

As mentioned previously this was my first time reading a book from Kimberly, but it won’t be my last!

Harsh memories and even harsher decisions!

A younger son returned from army life. A woman who’d been his friend and companion as a child. As a girl she’d survived a dreadful storm and lightening strikes, but remembers little of it.
Harsh memories of the past; a lordly father, Earl of Ravencroft, brutal and violent, a disappeared mother, two sisters sent to Italy, all take their toll.
Now there’s a smarmy overseer, Mr. Inchwick filling his own pockets from various avenues of the Earl’s, including substandard building materials.
1843 and Captain Simon Harcourt returns from the far flung British empire. Afghanistan this time with a magnificent horse, a Turkoman stallion, he intends to breed.
His father will build him stables at Everdene Hall, a place he’d stormed out of and vowed never to return. The horses and a vow to his dead comrade in arms, Jamie the fiery Scotsman, is what’s brought him back. The price however might be too dear, to clear the village out and relocate the tenants so his father can have an unimpeded view of the valley. (From a Hall his father would never inhabit. It’s only a carriage accident nearby that has him ensconced here at the moment)
But what if something different can happen? Here’s where his childhood accomplice, Penelope Waverly, daughter of an architect comes in. She’s indomitable! I applauded her rescue of the chimney sweep. I loved the story of Penelope building a tree house at a young age. Then there’s her ideas for relocating the village, a winner.
Slightly long winded but an enjoyable read!

An Xpresso Books ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.