Sunday, March 17, 2024

A Noble Scheme by Roseanna M. White

Book cover
A Noble Scheme
by Roseanna M. White


ISBN-13: 9780593197882
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Released: March 1, 2024

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Gemma Parks is known throughout high society as G. M. Parker, a columnist renowned for her commentary on the cream of society. Behind the scenes, she uses her talent to aid the Imposters in their investigations by gathering intel at events and providing alibis for the elite firm's members through her columns. Yet her clandestine work would be more exhilarating if it weren't for the constant presence of the gentleman who broke her heart.

Graham Wharton has never had eyes for anyone but Gemma, and she left his soul in tatters when she walked away from him. When the Imposters take on a new job to recover a kidnapped boy mistaken for his aristocratic cousin, Graham is determined to use the time with Gemma not only to restore the missing boy, but also to win back the only woman he's ever loved.


My Review:
A Noble Scheme is a Christian romance with a mystery, set in 1909 in England. Most of the story was about this mysterious, unforgivable problem between Gemma and Graham. It didn't matter if they were in a rush to save a young boy, they had time for a long argument about Gemma's lack of trust and forgiveness. Or if Gemma was freezing while lost in the snowy woods, it was a perfect time to kneel in the snow mourning her loss. This rather undercut any suspense. By the end, they'd finally worked through a lot of their relationship trauma and focused on the problem of saving two kidnapped boys.

The mystery was pretty straight forward: they soon identified who was demanding the ransom, where the boys were, and even why they were kidnapped. It was just a matter of getting them back. However, some things were never explained: How did Graham find the lost Gemma so quickly when he didn't know where she'd gone? Or why did someone steal Graham's notes since later no one seemed to suspect him of having anything to do with the attempt to save the boys?

The main characters were likable and generally acted realistically. Gemma had to learn to forgive (because God forgave her and expected her to forgive others). Graham didn't trust God to be good since He could have stopped a tragic loss but didn't, so he had to work through that issue. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this story to those who have read the previous book and enjoyed the characters.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Friday, March 15, 2024

On the Lookout by Christy Barritt

Book cover
On the Lookout
by Christy Barritt


ISBN-13: 9780593197882
ebook: 302 pages
Publisher: River Heights
Released: January 1, 2019

Source: Kindle, free book.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
When Cassidy Chambers accepted the job as police chief on Lantern Beach, she knew the island had its secrets. But a suspicious death with potentially far-reaching implications will test all her skills. Cassidy enlists the help of her husband, former Navy SEAL Ty Chambers. They must figure out if their John Doe is connected to the secretive group that has moved onto the island. As facts materialize, danger on the island grows. Can Cassidy and Ty discover the truth about the shadowy crimes in their cozy community? Or has darkness permanently invaded their beloved Lantern Beach?


My Review:
On the Lookout is a mystery. Police chief Cassidy identifies a potentially murdered man as coming from a cult located in her area. It's hard to investigate this closed-off group to determine if anything criminal is going on. Her husband, Ty, helps keep her safe as she asked questions and followed up on leads. Whodunit was guessable but not obvious, though I figured it out before Cassidy did. The main characters were engaging and reacted realistically to events. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Sunday, March 10, 2024

Never Fall Again by Lynn H. Blackburn

Book cover
Never Fall Again
by Lynn H. Blackburn


ISBN-13: 9780800745363
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Revell
Released: March 12, 2024

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Landry Hutton has spent three years rebuilding her life behind the secure gates of The Haven, an exclusive resort on the outskirts of Gossamer Falls, North Carolina. As the artist-in-residence, and with her pottery prized by The Haven's guests, Landry is finally ready to settle in permanently. She wants to give her daughter, Eliza, a safe home to grow up in and hires former Marine Callum Shaw to handle the construction.

Cal grew up in Gossamer Falls and always knew he would someday join his family's business. He longs for a family of his own but has almost given up on that ever happening. Landry is funny, gifted, and everything Cal could ever want in a partner, but he vows to keep his distance. Landry has a daughter and a past. Cal has been down that road before and barely survived when the woman he loved left, taking her two sons with her. He can't bear to lose like that again.

Before construction on the house can begin, Landry's pottery is destroyed in a suspicious fire. It soon becomes clear that Landry and Eliza are in grave danger--but because of whom?


My Review:
Never Fall Again is a Christian romantic suspense. Landry married a 'good Christian man' only to find out it was a front. He was emotionally abusive and manipulative. After he died in an accident, his parents threaten to take her daughter from her, so Landry took up a friend on her offer of a job making and teaching pottery to rich people at her exclusive mountain resort. Landry had a hard time trusting the appearance of goodness though she still believes in God. As she and Cal worked together on her dream home, they came to admire and care for each other. They built a friendship until they could trust each other enough to work through their issues from past relationships.

The main characters were engaging and reacted realistically to events. The suspense came from the the repeated attacks on Landry's livelihood escalating to danger to her, her daughter, and Cal. Both Landry and Cal occasionally prayed to God for help. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I would recommend this enjoyable suspense novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Friday, March 8, 2024

Speculations in Sin by Jennifer Ashley

Book cover
Speculations in Sin
by Jennifer Ashley


ISBN-13: 9780593549919
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Released: March 5, 2024

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Cook Kat Holloway is distressed to learn that Samuel Millburn, husband of the woman who looks after her daughter, has been accused of embezzling funds from the bank where he works as a clerk. The accusation is absurd, and Samuel’s wife fears that her husband will not only lose his post but be imprisoned. Kat vows to uncover the truth. She turns to her confidante and handsome suitor, Daniel McAdam, for help.


My Review:
Speculations in Sin is a mystery set in 1883 in London, England. This is the 7th book in the series. You don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one, and this book didn't spoil the mysteries of the previous books.

The mystery was clue-based, and whodunit was pretty obvious from the start of the investigation. Kat asked questions and followed up on leads but seemed rather distracted by her growing attachment to Daniel. Kat has solved enough mysteries that it's mindboggling that she angerly rushed off to confront a person she believed was a murderer rather than waiting for the police to do their job like Daniel suggested. Of course, she's gotten off in private and threatened by the murderer. Also, some things didn't seem realistic, like she's locked in a strong room in a bank which required two keys to open the door but there's a window to the outside. Like criminals can't climb the outside of a building. Anyway, I wasn't that impressed by the ending.

The main characters were interesting and likable. Historical details were woven into the story. There was no sex. There were only a few uses of bad language.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Sunday, March 3, 2024

Hailey's Haven by Laura Scott

Book cover
Hailey's Haven
by Laura Scott


ISBN-13: 978-1949144482
Kindle: 222 pages
Publisher: Readscape Publishing
Released: May 1, 2021

Source: Free ebook.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
After escaping her abusive foster parents thirteen years ago, Hailey Donovan thought her nightmare was over. Gatlinburg Tennessee had been a safe place to live, until she's nearly hit by gunfire while hiking the Smoky Mountains. Her instincts are to avoid law enforcement, especially handsome park ranger Rock Wilson, but when more gunfire echoes around them, they're forced to work together to escape.

More attempts against Hailey convinces her to leave the city to start over someplace new. Rock talks her into staying and fighting against the unknown assailant. Rock senses Hailey has been traumatized in the past, and is determined to uncover the mystery surrounding her. As Hailey and Rock seek the truth behind the escalating attacks, Rock realizes he's also in danger of losing his heart. Can Rock provide Hailey the save haven she desperately needs?


My Review:
Hailey's Haven is a Christian romantic suspense. Hailey's foster father abused his foster children, preaching hell-and-brimstone while punishing them in abusive ways for being sinners. Obviously, Hailey's not interested in God who at the very least didn't save them from this man. The children escaped and became runaways, eventually becoming separated from each other. Hailey's finally found a place where she feels valued and safe, working on an animal rescue farm and giving tours to children. But when someone tries to kill her, she's ready to go on the run again.

Park ranger Rock heard a shot fired on a hiking trail and rushed to the scene, ready to rescue a damsel that didn't seem very distressed and was quite competent surviving in the forest. He quickly came to admire her and urged her to accept his help uncovering the attacker so she could keep the life she loves. Hailey's not really a team player, but she did try to get along, and she and Rock shared interests. The suspense came from the frequent attacks and the uncertainty as to who would want her dead, not to mention that she didn't really trust the police to treat her fairly.

Rock was a Christian and tried to show Hailey that God could be trusted. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting suspense novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Friday, March 1, 2024

Undercover Colorado Conspiracy by Jodie Bailey

Book cover
Undercover Colorado Conspiracy
by Jodie Bailey


ISBN-13: 9781335597946
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Released: February 20, 2024

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
To expose a crooked adoption agency, military investigators Thalia Renner and Phillip Campbell pose as a married couple at a mountain resort. But when they become the target of unknown enemies and deadly assaults, they wonder if their cover has been blown. As they investigate, they learn that the past is coming to get them.


My Review:
Undercover Colorado Conspiracy is a Christian romantic suspense novel. The main characters were likable and capable, and they reacted realistically to events. The suspense came from frequent attacks on Thalia and Phillip, and they're not sure who's behind them. Thalia was adopted when a child, so she's determined to endure despite the attacks and stop any crooked business. However, her unknown origins have left her feeling unanchored despite having good adoptive parents. She's determined to not need help, but her undercover role demands that she accept it. She learns to accept help (and love) and find security in her identity in Christ.

Phillip was stalked by a popular girl in his youth, but no one took his concerns seriously until she turned violent. The current attacks look at lot like those pulled by this stalker, but why would she track him down now? He felt like he did everything wrong, but he learned that God could still make it turn out alright. Thalia and Phillip worked well together and had a long working relationship to build their growing attraction on.

My only complaint was that the descriptions occasionally changed. Mainly, their suite was on the ground level, and they walked straight out of their suite to wander down to a trail or around the outside of the hotel. But later they needed to go up at least one floor in an elevator to get to their rooms. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I recommend this enjoyable suspense novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Sunday, February 25, 2024

The Last Word by Gerri Lewis

Book cover
The Last Word
by Gerri Lewis


ISBN-13: 9781639106318
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Released: February 6, 2024

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Obituary writer Winter Snow is no stranger to grief, and writing obituaries for the citizens of Ridgefield, Connecticut, is her way of providing comfort to those who have been in her shoes. But funerals and eulogies are meant for the dead, so when the very much alive Leocadia Arlington requests her own obituary by the end of the week, Winter’s curiosity is piqued. Even more so when she finds Mrs. Arlington dead soon after. The police think it was an accident.

Winter's sure it was murder, though, because why else have a deadline? She becomes obsessed with trying to figure out the real killer. When Winter realizes Mrs. Arlington was working on a revealing memoir that has now gone missing, Winter begins to wonder if someone had a reason to kill to keep her quiet. With the help of her foodie Uncle Richard, her wise octogenarian neighbor Horace, her best friend Scoop, and Diva, the Great Pyrenees puppy she inherited from Mrs. Arlington, Winter must uncover the killer before the next obituary written is her own.


My Review:
The Last Word is a cozy mystery. Mrs. Arlington's a writer yet felt she needed to hire someone else to write her obituary. This is just the beginning of the baffling events. Like a gal was trying to stay hidden yet went on a long walk in public along a popular route. Or Winter knows they're in a hurry but took the time to take a shower, put on makeup, and otherwise primp. Or Winter knows she shouldn't be snooping, a cop is searching the house, the house has been trashed, yet when she knocked a vase over and broke it, she took the time to clean it up.

The author also didn't do a good job of describing things. I'd have to go back to re-read things because either I had misunderstood what she described or she forgot what she'd previously said. The whole story was unrealistic. Winter and the detectives treated evidence in ways that would see it thrown out of court. For example, she stole an iPad (evidence that the police were looking for) and went through it, sending things from it to herself, then turned it over. She was constantly illegally entering property and houses. And Winter's caught 'stealing from a dead guy's pocket' and is still a suspect after she explained it was her phone and contained evidence proving her story, yet she's allowed to take her phone home without anyone looking at it.

Anyway, despite the crazy and confusing, I still managed to figure out whodunit about halfway through. There was basically only one person who could have done certain things, and we soon learned that person's motive. Another person was sure acting suspiciously and had to be involved somehow. Not too difficult to figure out.

There was some bad language. There were no sex scenes.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.