Her Darling Mr. Day by Grace Hitchcock is this week’s Reader Friday. It’s the second book in the American Royalty series. I’ve read the first one, My Dear Miss Dupree, and really enjoyed it. Here’s the first line of Her Darling Mr. Day: “It had taken some of her best work to convince her parents and four sisters to summer in New Orleans instead of their mansion in Newport, but with Teddy Day finally a bachelor once more, Flora Wingfield wasn’t leaving anything to chance.”
But first the verse and photo. The photo was taken aboard a plane taking me to Minnesota, I believe. There’s just something about the early morning sky that I love. And this verse is one that I cling to in difficult times. Next to the first few verses of Isaiah 43, Joshua 1:9 is my go-to verse for almost everything difficult.
Now for Grace Hitchcock’s My Darling Mr. Day. Here’s the cover and back copy:
New Orleans’ most eligible bachelor insists he’s not on the market . . . but he couldn’t be more wrong.
Jilted in front of all New York, Theodore Day decides to lose himself in his family’s luxury riverboat business in New Orleans and compete against his brother to become the next company head. The brother with the most sales by summer’s end will win the position. Thanks to Theodore’s fame as a suitor in a socialite’s outlandish competition to find a husband, he has become very desirable royalty in Southern society and thus has an advantage.
It took Flora Wingfield’s best work to convince her family to summer in New Orleans, but with Teddy Day a bachelor once again, she’s leaving nothing to chance. Desperate to stand out from all the clamoring belles, Flora attempts a bold move that goes completely awry, only to find it’s her interior design skills that finally catch his notice.
But when Flora’s father’s matchmaking schemes come in the way of her plans, Teddy will have to decide where his happiness truly lies and what he is willing to sacrifice for it.
My take:
Her Darling Mr. Day takes up where My Dear Miss Dupree left off with Teddy Day jilted by Willow Dupree and he retreats to his hometown of New Orleans to lick his wounds only to have his father arrange a competition between Teddy and his older brother for the privilege of running his steamboat company. To make things more complicated, who should turn up in New Orleans but his best friend from childhood, Flora Winfield.
I had no idea that America in the late 1800s had what was considered royalty–the Knickerbocker Club and “The Four Hundred”. Apparently, there were only “400 people in fashionable New York Society.” The Wingfields were part of this society. So it was important for the daughters of those of the Knickerbocker Club to marry well. And that’s how Flora Wingfield came to be in New Orleans in the middle of a hot summer.
Except Teddy Day wasn’t interested in going through another embarrassing mess as he’d endured in New York. That didn’t mean he didn’t care for Flora, but they were best friends — he didn’t see her as someone to fall in love with and marry.
However, Flora had other ideas and began her campaign to woo him. There is a bit of mystery and a lot of historical tidbits you may not have known about. It was an enjoyable story. While Flora was already likable, I liked that she grew up a bit and became more responsible. And Teddy was swoonworthy from the get-go!
Here’s what Tracie Peterson said about it:
“Her Darling Mr. Day is a delightful and charming romantic romp. I know my readers will find this novel as endearing as I did and highly recommend it.”–TRACIE PETERSON, bestselling author of the Ladies of the Lake series.
So, what are you reading this week? Leave the first line in the comments and I’ll enter you in a May drawing for a book from my library.
April’s winner is…Erika Luther
Her Darling Mr. Day by Grace Hitchcock is this week's Reader Friday. Leave a comment and I'll enter you in a May drawing for a book from my library. Share on XI will be in Hannibal, Missouri today so it may be a bit before I can read the comments. But I will!
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Comments 37
Her Darling Mr. Day sounds like a sweet book in a sweet series. I am reading a Gothic mad-scientist story called The Pure World Comes by Rami Ungar. The first line is: “A stream of chocolate and apple juice fell from the second floor window of the Avondale house to the street below and mixed with the chocolate, apple juice, and mud that already littered the avenue.” Except it’s not chocolate and apple juice. Sometimes we forget how messy those Victorians were!
Author
Oh, my, Priscilla! Indeed we have forgotten. 🙂 Her Darling Mr. Day is a sweet book with a little intrigue.
That Bible verse is a great comfort. Some of the best sky scenes are seen when flying. I recall a cross country flight which passed through some huge cumulus clouds, and thinking of the tremendous power stored up in them.
“‘Death has no sting.’ He studied the pastor speaking from the stage, a giant cross hanging behind him, and smirked. Depends on how you kill someone.” This is the opening to “Fatal Code” by Natalie Walters from her SNAP Agency series. I’m starting this book in a few minutes.
Author
Ohhh, Tim, I must get Natalie’s book! That is an awesome opening. And I remember being on a flight from Seatle to Mephis when we rand into thunderstorms. I could look one way and all you could see were dark clouds with lightning but the other waw was the most beautiful pink and blue clouds. That’s one of the few perks of flying–seeing the clouds.
A lovely sunrise gift for starting a flight. I love it when God does that! Both the verse and passage you mentioned have been a go-to for me as well. They’re powerful and life-clinging at times.
I had no idea about American royalty either. How about that? Her Darling Mr. Day sounds like a fun read mixed with a bit of suspense.
Author
It is a fun read, Barbara. Not too serious and perfect when you just want to be entertained. Blessings this Mother’s Day.
Hi Patricia, I just finished A Promise Engraved by Liz Tolsma. It’s a dualtime book set around San Antonio & the Alamo. I’ll be switching gears for my next read, Fatal Code by Natalie Walters.
Author
I want to write a dual-time book, Connie. And one of these days I will…I know you’ll enjoy Natalie Walters’ book, too.
This sounds like a good series. I am reading A Dream of Death by Connie Berry. The first line is: I never wanted to return to Glenroth.
Author
Connie Berry’s books sounds like one I’d like to read, Gloria. 🙂
Good morning, your photo is Beautiful! I love taking pics of sunrises and sunsets. “My Dear Mr. Day” sounds like a Great read!! I am reading and hopefully will finish reading this weekend “The Cicada Tree” by Robert Gwaltney and I am loving it! This is the first line: A storm was coming.
Author
That sounds very intriguing, Alicia. I love taking sunrise and sunset photos, too. 🙂
I tried to read “Her Darling Mr. Day” since I had read the first book, but for some reason I was having a hard time getting into it. But….I am going to try again very soon. Maybe it just wasn’t something I was in the mood to read right now or something 🙂 I won’t give up on it yet! 🙂
I’m currently reading “The Billionaire’s Nanny” by Elizabeth Maddrey (it’s definitely Christian fiction) and I am loving it! I’ve only read one other book by Elizabeth so it’s nice to get back into other ones by her. I don’t normally care for only first person POV, but this one has drawn me into it pretty fast! 🙂 Here’s my first line:
Prologue:
“I shifted on the couch, getting more comfortable. The TV droned in the background, more for noise than because I cared about baseball game. ”
If I enjoy this one (and I am so far), I’ll be getting the second one in the series releasing in July called “The Billionaire’s Best Friend”. This series is centered around a group of Christian guys who became billionaires after they invested in some stocks and it paid off big time! The one thing I’m enjoying the most, is they don’t let their wealth go to their heads & they live out their faith. I think it’s going to be an awesome series 🙂 I can’t wait to meet their lady loves & find out who they will be.
Author
Oh, Trixi, the premise is intriguing! I’ll have to look that series up. I read My Darling Mr. Day several months after I read the first book in the series. 🙂
I’m currently reading The Master Craftsman by Kelli Stuart. Its pretty good so far, I’m enjoying reading about the Faberge eggs and all the history around them.
Author
I’ve always wanted to paint and decorate an egg, Megan. I bet the book is fascinating.
“Come on! Let’s go! We have to leave soon!” Prologue in Presence: The Story of Adel by Lana Wetzel
Author
That opening line is intriguing, Gail!
Just finished Elizabeth Goddard’s Story Haven. First line: Rain pelted Jonna Strand as she jogged the wintry Washington shoreline.
Author
I really enjoyed that book, Sally Jo. Thanks for stopping by.
The sky is beautiful in that picture.
Author
I think so, too, Lynn. Thank you!
Such a beautiful picture. The verse is a very comforting one. The book sounds like a fun one. I need to read my copy of the first book in the series. I’m reading Written on the Wind by Elizabeth Camden. Natalia Blackstone always considered the third floor of her family’s bank the most fascinating five thousand square feet in the entire United States.
Author
Thank you, Erika. I’ll contact you as soon as I return home about a book for you to choose. 🙂
I am currently reading your book “Crosshair”
Author
Thank you, Shelia!!! Hope you enjoy it. 🙂
Love the scripture and photo! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Her Darling Mr. Day.
Enjoy your Mother’s Day weekend.
Author
Thank you, Caryl! Hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day as well!
Author
Thank you, Caryl!
cover’s nice
Author
I think so, too, BN. Thanks for stopping by.
I’m lagging behind this week and can’t seem to catch up. I got an unexpected surprise on Wednesday. I haven’t flown anywhere in almost ten years. I believe my last trip by plane was to Minnesota. Anyway, I was notified that I am needed to serve as a delegate to our church General Conference in St. Louis later this month. I had to hustle to get my airline tickets. Talk about “sticker shock,” I struggle with the cost of the least expensive flights but saw one listed at $6,996 (I think it was on a private plane). Anyway, I love that picture and verse. What a calming effect it has!
From “The Baxters: A Prequel” by Karen Kingsbury – Outside Kari Baxter’s French bedroom window, storm clouds gathered in the early morning sky over Bloomington, Indiana. Dark and tinged in green. Tornado clouds.
Author
Oh, wow, Edward. Congratulations on being picked to serve as a delegate. Is this a new book by Karen or an earlier one? I read most of that series. 🙂
This is Karen’s newest release. Until now, Redemption has been the first Baxter family book. This one starts before that one.
Author
Sounds very interesting, Edward!
I’m reading When the Meadow Blooms by Ann Gabhart and The Ribbon by Cara Grandle.
I loved Teddy! Both were great books by Grace Hitchcock.
Author
I loved Teddy, too. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.