Amish Hideout by Maggie K. Black

Amish Hideout by Maggie K. Black ISBN-13: 9781335231833 Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense Released: Dec. 31, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
She must survive to testify... With a price on his witness's head, US Marshal Jonathan Mast can think of only one place to hide Celeste Alexander--in the Amish community he left behind. As a computer expert, leading a life off the grid isn't easy for Celeste. But will staying in Jonathan's childhood home save her...and convince them a future together is worth fighting for?


My Review:
Amish Hideout is a Christian romantic suspense novel. Celeste is excellent with computers and at finding patterns and connections. She has uncovered the man who electronically stole money from thousands. She's now in witness protection until she testifies at his trial. Even though she has given all this information to the FBI, for some reason she has to be the one to explain it at the trial. The bad guy sets a bounty on her head, and the only way to avoid being captured is to avoid any electronic devices. Once they figure this out after repeated kidnapping attempts, they end up in an Amish community. It so happens that her FBI protector came from this Amish community, and he mends family relationships while they are there.

The characters were brave, earnest people that I cared about. Each was willing to risk their lives to help others, and each was good at what they did. I like that they respected each other. The suspense came from repeated attempts to kidnap her. There was a lull while they were in the Amish community, but the danger was even higher when she came out to testify.

The Christian element was praying to God for help and God's calling to use their abilities to help others even when it brought trouble with it. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd 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.

A Few Right Thinking Men by Sulari Gentill

A Few Right Thinking Men by Sulari Gentill ISBN-13: 9781921997778 Paperback: 349 pages Publisher: Pantera Press Released: Sept. 1, 2017

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Rowland Sinclair is an artist and a gentleman. In Australia's 1930s the Sinclair name is respectable and influential, yet Rowland has a talent for scandal. Even with thousands of unemployed lining the streets, Rowland's sheltered world is one of exorbitant wealth, culture and impeccable tailoring. He relies on the Sinclair fortune to indulge his artistic passions and friends ... a poet, a painter and a brazen sculptress. Mounting tensions fuelled by the Great Depression take Australia to the brink of revolution. The murder of his uncle, also named Rowland Sinclair, pulls him into the clash of various--and increasingly violent--political parties.


My Review:
A Few Right Thinking Men is a mystery set in Dec. 1931 to March 1932 in Australia. This is the first novel in a series. Interesting historical details were woven into the the story and were a part of solving whodunit. The main characters were interesting, caring people. It was a clue-based mystery, but it was more of a suspense than a puzzle.

Rowly comes into contact with several political groups that are convinced of the need for militant action to save their country from the other groups (Communist, Fascist, etc.). He simply wants to bring the murderer of his favorite uncle to justice. He arranges to paint a portrait of the New Guard leader after a lead points to that group, but he's constantly in danger of exposure...and potentially ending up dead like his uncle.

There was a fair amount of bad language. There were no sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting 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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Envious Casca by Georgette Heyer

Envious Casca by Georgette Heyer ISBN-13: 9780099493662 Paperback: 352 pages Publisher: Arrow Released: 1941; October 24, 2006

Source: Borrowed from the library.

Book Description from Goodreadsr:
It is no ordinary Christmas at Lexham Manor. Six holiday guests find themselves the suspects of a murder enquiry when the old Scrooge, Nathaniel Herriad, who owns the substantial estate, is found stabbed in the back. For Inspector Hemingway of Scotland Yard, ‘tis the season to find whodunit but it’s a real conundrum how any of the suspects could have entered the locked room to commit this foul deed in the first place.


My Review:
Envious Casca is a historical mystery set in England in 1941. The characters were fairly normal (though self-centered) people who frequently squabbled, so there were plenty of suspects. There were some very funny squabbles in the story. I correctly guessed whodunit from the start for the very reasons that Inspector Hemingway later gave. The mystery was still how it was done--so many possibilities! I knew certain clues were important and howdunit is guessable, but I didn't guess it. I suppose my main idea was just to mundane to use.

There was no sex. There was a fair amount of bad language (mainly a swearing use of "God"). Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable 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.

Alaskan Holiday by Debbie Macomber

Alaskan Holiday by Debbie Macomber ISBN-13: 9780399181283 Hardcover: 256 pages Publisher: Ballantine Books Released: Oct. 2, 2018

Source: ARC review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Before beginning her dream job as sous chef in one of Seattle's hottest new restaurants, Josie Avery takes a summer position cooking at a lakeside lodge in the remote Alaskan town of Ponder. Josie falls for the rustic charms of the local community--including Jack Corcoran, the crotchety keeper of Ponder's famed sourdough starter, and, in particular, the quiet and intense Palmer Saxon, a famed master swordsmith.

Josie and Palmer become close during the long Alaskan summer days, but Josie knows that, come fall, she'll be returning to reality and the career she's worked so hard for. Palmer, on the other hand, would like nothing better than to make Josie his wife and to keep her in Ponder. But Josie can't imagine abandoning her mother back in the Emerald City and sacrificing her career to stay in this isolated town--not even for a man she's quickly coming to love.

Fate has other plans. Josie misses the last boat out of town before winter sets in, stranding her in Ponder and putting her dream job at risk. As the holidays approach, Josie and Palmer must grapple with the complications that arise when dreams confront reality, and the Christmas magic that can happen when they put their faith in love.


My Review:
Alaskan Holiday is a romance novel and doesn't actually involve a holiday in Alaska. The heroine is a big-city gal whose family and a big career opportunity await her back at home. She just finished a short stint in the middle of nowhere as a cook at a hunting lodge. She's fallen in love with a swordsmith who hates crowds and is socially awkward. This is where the story begins. The "falling in love" had already happen, and we only get a quick summary of how they had spent special time together.

This was simply the story of overcoming the obstacles between them. It's basically all about her deciding if she loves him enough to give everything up for him and of him feeling jealous because he's sure anyone else had a better chance with her (except maybe Jack, the comic relief). But even though he's insecure, he's a giving fellow who wants the best for the woman he loves. There was no sex or 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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Eggs on Ice by Laura Childs

Eggs on Ice by Laura Childs ISBN-13: 9780425281727 Hardback: 304 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: Dec. 4, 2018

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Some say that casting crusty attorney Allen Sharpe as Scrooge in the Kindred Players production of "A Christmas Carol" is just playing to type. He's not the most beloved man in town. In fact, you'd have a dickens of a time finding someone who liked him. Still it's a shock when the Ghost of Christmas Past stabs him during the first rehearsal. Suzanne, co-owner of the Cackleberry Club cafe, Kindred's favorite combination diner, craft store and bookshop, chases the murderer out of the building but loses him in the alley.

As the days pass the list of suspects grows longer. Is it the disgruntled partner? The former secretary whom Sharpe sexually harrassed? Or is it fellow owner of the Cackleberry Club, Toni's almost ex-husband, Junior? The women of the Cackleberry Club are determined to find the killer before he can add another victim to his Christmas list.


My Review:
Eggs on Ice is a cozy mystery. It's the eighth book in the series. You don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one, and this story didn't spoil the previous whodunits.

So a murder is committed in front of a lot of witnesses, but the murderer is wearing a costume. Suzanne saw the murder and later asked some questions about who had a motive or could have done it. But there is no clue or evidence to narrow down her suspects. On a whim, she decided to break and enter into one of her suspects houses even though she didn't know what, exactly, she was looking for. She also basically told another suspect that she thought he was the murderer, even though nothing clearly pointed at him. Of course, she discovers who the murderer is when that person tries to kill her at the end.

I prefer mysteries that have more clues and a puzzle to solve, plus I didn't like how she felt justified in breaking the law. There was occasional use of bad language. There was no sex.


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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Beauvallet by Georgette Heyer

Beauvallet by Georgette Heyer ISBN-13: 9781402219511 Trade Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Sourcebooks Released: 1929; January 2010

Source: Bought through Half.com.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
"Mad Nicholas" to his friends, "Scourge of Spain" to his enemies, Sir Nicholas Beauvallet is one of Queen Elizabeth's most dashing buccaneers and has never been known to resist a challenge.

When Beauvallet captures the galleon carrying Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylvan and her father, he vows to return them safely to the shores of Spain. But he has no sooner done so than he proposes a venture more reckless than any of his exploits on the high seas--he will return to Spain, where there's a price on his head, and claim Dominica as his bride


My Review:
Beauvallet is a historical romance set in 1586 on the sea, in England, and in Spain. Actually, it's more of an action/adventure novel. It's serious rather than funny, and I missed the humor that I so enjoy in Heyer's Regency novels.

Nicholas is extremely reckless (even he knows it) and enjoys a challenge. I have no idea why he decided to marry Dominica except that it'd be a grand challenge--both to get her out of Spain and to stay happily married to someone as opinionated as he is. Dominica likes the way he doesn't take no for an answer and the risk he's willing to take to claim her.

Honestly, I'm not really seeing a peaceful marriage here, though I will say that he is more desirable than her other suitors. I had a hard time rooting for his reckless, prideful scheme to succeed especially since I considered them a poor romantic match. But it's quite a show to see how he pulls off his scheme, and the "on the run" action at the end was exciting.

There was no sex. There was a fair amount of using "God" as a swear word. Overall, if you like action/adventure and don't mind the tenuous romance, you might enjoy this book.


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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Just Plain Murder by Laura Bradford

Just Plain Murder by Laura Bradford ISBN-13: 9780440000402 Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: Nov. 27, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Jakob and Claire have been enjoying spending more time together in lovely Heavenly, PA. With Claire's help, the detective is making slow progress reconnecting with members of his Amish family who shunned him when he left to pursue a career in law enforcement. Jakob's mentor, Russ Granger, the long retired police chief who inspired him to become a cop is back in town. Claire's always wanted to meet the man who changed the course of Jakob's life. But not long after he arrives in Heavenly, Russ is murdered. Jakob is shocked and grieving. He feels guiltly about not meeting his friend that night. Claire and Jakob soon find that Jakob's old boss may have stumbled into something sinister before he was killed.


My Review:
Just Plain Murder is a cozy mystery. It's the sixth book in a series. You don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one, and this novel didn't spoil the whodunits in the previous novels.

The author wove in details about living near the Amish and what it's like for people to be or leave the Amish. The characters were engaging, complex, and reacted realistically. The mystery was clue-based, but it's more of a police procedural than a puzzle mystery. Claire helped the detective by doing some things with him. Because the victim was a friend of the detective, he was too close to see things that another detective might've spotted sooner. Once Claire came along to view things with fresh eyes, she spotted the clues and the detective immediately followed up on the new lead.

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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Yule Be Dead by Lorraine Bartlett with Gayle Leeson

Yule Be Dead by Lorraine Bartlett with Gayle Leeson ISBN-13: 9780425266007 Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: Nov. 27, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
It's Christmastime, but not everyone is jolly--especially not Vonne Barnett, who was found dead in an apparent car crash. Katie Bonner, the manager of Artisan's Alley, happens to be at the tea shop Vonne's mother, Francine, owns when the news is delivered. Vonne left a trail of men behind her so the suspects are many--but the clues are few. A broken teacup leads Katie to one of the suspects, but before she can investigate, she's attacked.


My Review:
Yule Be Dead is a cozy...romance? The book started out as a mystery: a woman is found dead in a staged car accident. Katie asked some questions relating to why someone would want to kill the woman. But she quickly was distracted by her visiting mother-in-law, debating whether or not to buy a tea shop, two men competing for her attentions, and by the shenanigans happening in her current store. When she angered a suspect about a current crime, he attacked her. Is he the murderer? That thread got lost in the male posturing about who will keep Katie safe. Whodunit was uncovered in the end by the drunk murderer coming to Katie and basically confessing.

While the characters were likable, this was more romance than mystery or suspense. There was occasional use of bad language. There were no sex scenes. This novel is the 5th in the series. You don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one, and this story didn't spoil the whodunit of the previous books.


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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

The Gift That I Can Give by Kathie Lee Gifford

The Gift That I Can Give by Kathie Lee Gifford ISBN-13: 9781400209248 Hardcover: 32 pages Publisher: Thomas Nelson Released: Oct. 23, 2018

Source: Review copy from the publisher through BookLook.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The Gift That I Can Give is a heartwarming story that shows how all children can do something today to make a positive impact on others. From simply being kind to giving a loved one an extra-big hug to cheering for a friend, this story will inspire children with countless ways to show God's love, leading them to want to read it again and again.


My Review:
The Gift That I Can Give is a children's book about how everyone is unique but they can show God's love to others through their actions. It starts with a little girl declaring "I am one of a kind -- I am my very own ME! Exactly the person God made me to be." This girl then thinks about discovering her unique gift as she grows up, like being talented at dancing, singing, sports, or playing music or at being thoughtful and kind to animals, friends, or family. She then thinks about how God gave her this gift to give it to others, and that gift is His love.

When reading the first pages, I felt like the author was too limiting by implying a person had only one thing she was good at and that you have to be uniquely gifted in some way to be kind, thoughtful, etc. But then the girl wonders if her gift "is all of these" and the end concludes that the "gift" is a gift God gave us and expands the possibilities to any way a person can show God's love to others. The pictures were simple in style but still realistic in what was depicted (a playground, a bedroom, and so forth). Overall, it's a nice book.


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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

The Arsenal Stadium Mystery by Leonard Gribble

The Arsenal Stadium Mystery by Leonard Gribble ISBN-13: 9781464210839 Paperback Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press Released: Dec. 4, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The 1939 Arsenal side is firing on all cylinders and celebrating a string of victories. They appear unstoppable, but the Trojans - a side of amateurs who are on a winning streak of their own - may be about to silence the Gunners.

Moments into the second half the whistle blows, but not for a goal or penalty. One of the Trojans has collapsed on the pitch. By the end of the day, he is dead.

Gribble's unique mystery, featuring the actual Arsenal squad of 1939, sends Inspector Anthony Slade into the world of professional football to investigate a case of deadly foul play on and off the pitch.


My Review:
The Arsenal Stadium Mystery is a mystery set in England and originally published in 1939. It provided a unique look at soccer (football) at that time.

The mystery was a clue-based puzzle mystery. The detective methodically questioned the suspects and manipulated them to get answers when they didn't want to explain things. By following up on the clues and motivations, he was able to see past what the killer and suspects wanted him to believe and find the truth. I did guess whodunit about the same time as the detective started to suspect that person (though the detective doesn't clearly admit whom he suspects and why until the end).

There was no sex. There was occasional use of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting 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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

The Division Bell Mystery by Ellen Wilkinson

The Division Bell Mystery by Ellen Wilkinson ISBN-13: 9781464210853 Paperback Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press Released: Dec. 4, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
An American financier is found shot in the House of Commons. Suspecting foul play, Robert West, a parliamentary private secretary, takes on the role of amateur sleuth. Used to turning a blind eye to covert dealings, West must now uncover the secrets behind the man's demise, amid distractions from the press and the dead man's enigmatic daughter.

Originally published in 1932, this was the only mystery novel to be written by Ellen Wilkinson, one of the first women to be elected to Parliament. Wilkinson offers a unique insider's perspective of political scandal, replete with sharp satire.


My Review:
The Division Bell Mystery is a mystery set in England and originally published in 1932. It's mainly set in the House of Commons, and it's written by "one of the first women to be elected to Parliament." It provides an inside look at the building, the people in it, and the time period. This aspect in itself kept my interest.

The mystery was a clue-based puzzle mystery. I wasn't surprised by whodunit as it wasn't difficult to guess. But the main character--a parliamentary private secretary--is besotted by a woman who should be a suspect (so he isn't thinking logically) and is more concerned with calming the political crisis. He's simply supposed to be helping the police and others who are working to solve the crime. However, he did poke around some on his own, too. The group of people investigating the crime do combine clues to solve whodunit and finally solve the "locked room" aspect.

There was no sex. There was some bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting 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.

Holiday Amnesia by Lynette Eason

Holiday Amnesia by Lynette Eason ISBN-13: 9781335490773 Paperback: 224 pages Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense Released: Dec. 4, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Robin Hardy survived an explosion in her university lab—but her memories are gone. With danger lurking behind every Christmas tree, she needs shelter from the attackers she can’t identify. She’ll trust fellow professor Toby Potter to safely hide her away. But he's afraid that she'll reject his help when she remembers his secret assignment. The truth could mean the difference between life and death this holiday season.


My Review:
Holiday Amnesia is a romantic suspense novel. Though a part of a series, it worked as a standalone. The hero and heroine knew each other before the story began and basically were already in love. Then the heroine witnesses a crime and gets a blow to the head when her lab is blown up. She can't remember that she really liked him or that she was angry at him. He's afraid she'll reject his protection if she remembers their argument. He wants her forgiveness, and having people repeatedly try to kill you helps put things in perspective.

The suspense came from the constant physical danger to the heroine and those protecting her while she struggled to remember who attacked her and also from her uncertainty about whom she should trust. The characters were likable and acted realistically. There was no bad language or sex. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable 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.

Mark of the Raven by Morgan L. Busse

Mark of the Raven by Morgan L. Busse ISBN-13: 9780764232220 Paperback: 352 pages Publisher: Bethany House Released: Nov. 6, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Lady Selene is the heir to the Great House of Ravenwood and the secret family gift of dreamwalking. As a dreamwalker, she can enter a person's dreams and manipulate their greatest fears or desires. For the last hundred years, the Ravenwood women have used their gift of dreaming for hire to gather information or to assassinate.

As she discovers her family's dark secret, Selene is torn between upholding her family's legacy--a legacy that supports her people--or seeking the true reason behind her family's gift.

Her dilemma comes to a head when she is tasked with assassinating the one man who can bring peace to the nations, but who will also bring about the downfall of her own house.


My Review:
Mark of the Raven is a fantasy novel that's rather depressing until nearly the end. At the beginning, Selene gains the gift of dreamwalking only to learn that her mother expects her to kill and terrorize people using her gift in order to earn money and increase their House's power. She's kindhearted, so it's destroying her to follow her mother's instructions. Much of the story is her using her gift to hurt people.

She's willing to do this so that her sisters won't have to. It's nice that she isn't selfish, but the destruction of her soul through obedience was not fun to read. And it's a meaningless gesture anyway. One sister is eager to learn dreamwalking and would love to show how much better she is at it than Selene. Plus her mother probably intends for all her daughters to help her make money and gain power; she never said otherwise. Also, Selene kept consoling herself that she would learn a better way to use her gift, but she made no effort to explore other ways of using it (while actually dreamwalking) even when her father hinted at what it used to be used for.

There were also several holes and conflicting things in the story. Selene wants to learn how the other House gifts are used, but even her father (who comes from the House of wisdom and learning) doesn't know this information. On the other hand, the hero only has to ask that pretty girl from the other House to learn more about their gifts. One House leader only had to anger another House leader in order to see his gift in action (and in public). So it doesn't seem like it should be that difficult to find out about the other gifts. Also, no reason is given for why no one seems to have a written history of what happened in the last conflict with the Empire or about the giving of the Gifts (even just a legendary version).

While the ending left me interested in what happens to Selene in the future, I'm not sure that I trust the author to not create another depressing read even though the story seems to be Selene's journey toward the Light. There was no sex or 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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Dancing with the Sun by Kay Bratt

Dancing with the Sun by Kay Bratt ISBN-13: 9781503904811 Paperback: 236 pages Publisher: Lake Union Publishing Released: Nov. 27, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
When Sadie Harlan visits her daughter, Lauren, at her summer internship in Yosemite National Park, it seems like the perfect way to forget about her empty nest and failing marriage back home. But when the two women get lost on what’s meant to be a short hike, they suddenly find themselves fighting for their lives.

As they search for food, water, and civilization, they battle injury, exhaustion, and natural predators. Sadie, however, is assaulted by more than just the unforgiving elements. She lost her first child years earlier in a tragic accident, and in her sorrow, she’s pushed everyone away—including her husband. Now, Sadie must face her past through a journey of love, loss, and learning to forgive herself if she and Lauren are to stand a chance at getting out of Yosemite alive. Will a mother’s courage be enough to save them both?


My Review:
Dancing with the Sun is a general fiction novel. Half of the story consisted of flashbacks of Sadie's past. Her son died in an accident while camping with his father, and she has mistrusted nature ever since. Her marriage is strained because she withdrew emotionally in her grief. She longs to connect with her adopted daughter, Lauren, and so reluctantly allows Lauren to take her on a relatively short trail in Yosemite. Since it was supposed to be a short walk, they did not come prepared for the possibility of getting hopelessly lost and encountering wildlife.

The characters came across as complex, real people. They reacted realistically to the situations, relationships, and loss. I cared about what happened to the characters. Though the characters were in a difficult situation, I did not feel depressed or scared by what they were going through, though I felt a lot of sympathy for them. And healing comes through the journey. The title refers to turning to face the light, both literally using the sun as a compass and figuratively as she heals from her dark grief. There were only a few uses of bad language. There was no sex. Overall, I'd recommend this emotionally genuine novel of surviving the wilderness and grief.


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.

Manuscript for Murder by Jessica Fletcher, Jon Land

Murder, She Wrote: Manuscript for Murder by Jessica Fletcher, Jon Land ISBN-13: 9780451489302 Hardcover: 320 pages Publisher: Berkley Released: Nov. 6, 2018

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Jessica Fletcher has never had any reason to worry about her longtime publisher, Lane Barfield, who also happens to be a trusted friend. When another author claims Lane has been stealing from their royalties, Jessica reluctantly investigates. But that author and then Lane turn up dead, apparently from suicide, though Jessica spots indications of murder.

Lane's latest, sure-to-be-a-best-seller acquisition goes completely missing from the system--no traces left behind at all--and anyone who has read the manuscript turns up dead from apparent suicide. Jessica uses the hard copy Lane gave her to find clues that seem to point to shadowy powers controlling the president who are willing to kill to hide their influence.


My Review:
Manuscript for Murder is a cozy thriller. This is the forty-eighth book in the series. You don't have to read the previous novels to understand this one, and this one doesn't spoil the whodunit of previous novels.

This book was written like a thriller, only there was too much filler material slowing the pace. The author also kept repeating things again and again, even if the information had been stated just a paragraph or page ago. Also, we're supposed to believe that the manuscript is an exciting thriller. Jessica even says so. Yet she kept falling asleep every few paragraphs while she's reading it, so she never finished the book. That makes it sound very boring. Basically, the suspense was more stated ("Jessica was afraid" type of thing) than felt by me.

Jessica was so convinced that the important clues were in the manuscript that she overlooked obvious clues in reality--clues which allowed me to easily guess some of the twists at the end. Due to Jessica's focus on finding obscure clues, the story wasn't really a puzzle mystery but a race to uncover the bad guys while avoiding death. The premise is silly, though, because few people would believe that a fictional thriller revealed what was really going on in Washington DC. There was no need to kill a bunch of people and risk bringing attention to a book that otherwise would have been harmless.

There were some funny characters in this book, so it was still an enjoyable read. But the characters weren't really true to the series or even the previous books. There was no sex. There were 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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Dragonshadow by Elle Katharine White

Dragonshadow by Elle Katharine White ISBN-13: 9780062747976 ebook: 400 pages Publisher: Harper Voyager Released: Nov. 20, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through Edelweiss.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Aliza and Alastair match wits as they fight to protect the helpless and save their world.

The Battle of North Fields is over—or so Aliza Bentaine, now a Daired, fervently wants to believe. But word comes that an unknown monster is ravaging the isolated Castle Selwyn on the northern border of the kingdom. She and Alastair must travel with their dragon Akarra through the Tekari-infested Old Wilds of Arle to answer Lord Selwyn's call. Shadowing the dragonriders is an ancient evil, a harbinger of a dark danger of which the Worm was only a foretaste.


My Review:
Dragonshadow is a heroic fantasy novel with a bit of mystery. It is the second book in the series. It spoils events from the first book (though not in detail), so I'd recommend reading them in order. You don't have to read the previous book to understand this one.

Aliza is a healer and has no training as a warrior. She fights with her wits, but she's married to a warrior with a dragon. He views her as helpless and doesn't want her in danger, but she wants to be seen as a useful partner. They take a contract to stop an unknown monster that has been killing the creatures--and now a human--near a castle. On the way to the castle, they're attacked by organized groups of humans and monsters. Once at the castle, Aliza asked questions to discover what was going on while her husband patrolled the castle.

I liked that Aliza was able to protect herself using her quick thinking and was vital to solving the mystery. While her husband fought bravely, he had an injury from a previous battle that made him less effective, thus providing more suspense. The characters acted realistically, and I cared about what happened to them. They battled their doubts as much as the physical monsters.

There was enough world building to make a unique environment with out becoming bogged down in the details. There were no sex scenes. There was only a few uses of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable, exciting fantasy.


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.

City of Secrets by Victoria Thompson

City of Secrets by Victoria Thompson ISBN-13: 9780451491619 Hardcover: 320 pages Publisher: Berkley Released: Nov. 13, 2018

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Con artist Elizabeth Miles has determined that Society is the biggest con of all. So far, Elizabeth’s only real social success has been with Priscilla Knight.

Priscilla is a dedicated suffragist who was recently widowed for the second time in her young life. Her beloved first husband, DeForrest Jenks, died in a tragic accident and left her with two young daughters and a comfortable fortune. Soon after his death, her pastor convinced her she needed a man to look after her. Before she knew it, he had engineered a whirlwind courtship and hasty marriage to fellow parishioner Endicott Knight. Less than nine months later, Endicott is also dead in a somewhat less tragic and even more suspicious accident.

Priscilla confides to Elizabeth that she had understood Endicott was wealthy in his own right, and she had brought a sizeable fortune to the marriage as well. Now her banker is telling her she has hardly any money left and that her house has been mortgaged. Elizabeth discovers some unsavory evidence that seems to point to the possibility that Endicott’s death may have been connected to blackmail. To save her new friend’s future, Elizabeth must use her special set of skills to find the truth.


My Review:
City of Secrets is a historical mystery set in 1918 in New York City. This is the second book in the series, but you don't need to read the previous book to understand this one. This book referred to some events in the previous book, but not enough to spoil the story. Elizabeth is a reformed con artist engaged to marry an honest lawyer who's convinced that following the Law and gaining justice through the legal system are ultimate.

Elizabeth investigated her widowed friend's loss of money to see if it was lost in a con, but she soon realized that Priscilla's husband was blackmailed out of his own fortune and hers. Once certain of who was behind the scheme and the blackmail, Elizabeth realized she couldn't prove it in a court of law. She asked her father to con the blackmailers so she could return the money to Priscilla. Her fiance is appalled (creating a rift between the two) and set out to prove that justice and law must and can prevail.

It was entertaining to follow the investigation and guess just how the con was going to be pulled off. It was a case were the justice system wouldn't ultimately help the hurt party and would even cause more harm by creating a scandal. The blackmailers' own greed and jealousy were used against them. The various efforts even ensured that the blackmailers couldn't harm anyone else in the future. A very satisfying ending. The historical details were woven into the story to create a sense of the specific time and place as well as bring the story alive.

There was one use of bad language. There was no sex. Overall, I'd highly recommend this entertaining historical.


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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

The Bloomsbury Affair by Anita Davison

The Bloomsbury Affair by Anita Davison ISBN-13: 9781786690852 ebook Publisher: Aria Released: Nov. 20, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
1905 London. Flora Maguire wants to keep her family safe. So when her beloved charge Viscount Edward Trent is accused of murder, she's determined not to leave the investigation to the police. A man was killed on the train in the seat next to Edward, and he was found leaning over the body. When Edward runs away from the police, they're certain of his guilt. As they investigate, Flora and her husband Bunny become mired in a murky world of communists and fraudsters.


My Review:
The Bloomsbury Affair is a mystery set in 1905 in London. It's the fifth book in a series, but you don't need to read the previous books to follow this one. However, the characters referred to events in the previous novels and spoiled the previous mysteries.

The characters were interesting and acted realistically. Historical details (like politics, technology, etc.) were woven into the story. The mystery was clue-based, and I realized whodunit before Flora did. Unfortunately, Flora's active investigation of the murder didn't significantly change the ending except by putting several people's lives in danger. The Detective uncovered one of the criminal pair by himself, and I suspect he would have discovered the other if Flora hadn't hidden critical evidence from him. I felt like Flora actually stood in the way of justice this time. And the murderer was not captured by the end. Basically, I found the mystery unsatisfying.

There were no sex scenes. There were only a couple 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.

A Holiday by Gaslight by Mimi Matthews

A Holiday by Gaslight by Mimi Matthews ISBN-13: 9780999036464 ebook: 175 pages Publisher: Perfectly Proper Press Released: Nov. 13, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Sophie Appersett is quite willing to marry outside of her class to ensure the survival of her family. But the darkly handsome Mr. Edward Sharpe is no run-of-the-mill London merchant. He’s grim and silent. A man of little emotion—or perhaps no emotion at all. After two months of courtship, she’s ready to put an end to things.

But severing ties with her taciturn beau isn’t as straightforward as Sophie envisioned. Her parents are outraged. And then there’s Charles Darwin, Prince Albert, and that dratted gaslight. What’s a girl to do except invite Mr. Sharpe to Appersett House for Christmas and give him one last chance to win her? Only this time there’ll be no false formality. This time they’ll get to know each other for who they really are.


My Review:
A Holiday by Gaslight is a romance set in 1861 England. Sophie is a practical, dutiful daughter of a baronet. When a rich merchant asks to court her despite her lack of dowry (it was spent on adding gaslights to the family manor), her parents urge the match in hopes of more funds. However, the hero has been reading an etiquette manual with rather vague advice, so he says little during the courtship in hopes of avoiding offense.

Most of the story happened at a Christmas party held at the manor. The hero has been given a second chance as long as he agrees to share about himself. They get to know each other and admire each other's character, but the differences in their class does make for a few misunderstandings. Historical details about manners, the latest technology, Christmas customs, and such were woven into the story and brought it to life. The characters were likable and were a good match in temperament and interests.

There was no sex. There was occasional use of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable romance.


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.

The Opium Purge by Elizabeth Bailey

The Opium Purge by Elizabeth Bailey ISBN-13: 9781912546480 ebook: 383 pages Publisher: Sapere Books Released: Nov. 1, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
1790, England. Lord Francis and Lady Ottilia Fanshawe are preparing for the birth of their first child. But Lady Fan won’t let a little thing like pregnancy get in the way of solving a local mystery. Their neighbour – Sir Joslin Cadel – who recently returned from a sugar plantation in Barbados, has collapsed and died on his doorstep. And his young ward, Tamasine Roy, claims to have murdered him.

With Tamasine clearly suffering from some kind of mental disorder, and the rest of Cadel’s household acting suspiciously, it is clear all is not as it seems. Why did Sir Joslin suddenly return to England? What happened to Tamasine’s parents? Could this seemingly angelic young woman really be a murderess…?


My Review:
The Opium Purge is a mystery set in 1790 in London. This novel is the 3rd in the series, but you don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one. This story didn't spoil the whodunit of the previous books, but it did refer back to events in the first story.

The story revolved around a stunningly beautiful, young woman who inherited madness from her mother. Her guardian, Sir Joslin, dies after being pushed down some steps by the girl. She freely admits to trying to kill her guardian in revenge for something that happened several years before, but she won't explain what. Due to her medical training, Lady Fan knows that Sir Joslin didn't die from the push. He died from an opium overdose. She investigates what led up to that day and who in the household might wish to kill Sir Joslin. Complicating matters, her husband's nephew falls in love with the girl and refuses to acknowledge her mental deficiency.

Lady Fan is sympathetic towards the girl and her situation. She asked the household plenty of questions along with using her observational skills. The mystery was a clue-based, puzzle mystery. The characters were interesting, and I cared about what happened to them. The author used historical details to create the feeling of a specific time and place. There were only a few uses of bad language. There were no sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable 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.

Wait for Me by Susan May Warren

Wait for Me by Susan May Warren ISBN-13: 9780800727482 Paperback: 336 pages Publisher: Revell Released: Nov. 6, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Pete Brooks can't believe he's waited an entire year for Jess Tagg to return to Montana, only to have her break his heart by getting engaged to her ex-fiancé. Worse, Pete nearly lost his life again while on a rescue and other lives were lost. Pete isn't sure he wants to continue to work in Search and Rescue. Maybe if he can just get over Jess, he can figure out how to move forward.

EMT Jess Tagg has returned to Montana to finally give her heart to Pete, but it seems he's no longer interested. Leaving after a terrible fight, she finds herself crashed on the side of a highway along with Esme Shaw and both are taken captive into the untamed Montana wilderness—with murderous intent. Now Pete and the other PEAK Rescue Team members are in a race against time, the elements, and the actions of a vengeful man.


My Review:
Wait for Me is a Christian romantic suspense novel. It's the sixth book in a series. I'd recommend reading the previous books in the series as there are ongoing story lines that were further developed and wrapped up in this book. There were two romances.

Ned and Shae meet again at a wedding reception. Shae has decided to testify against the man who killed her first boyfriend even though this may put her life in danger. Ned is determined to prove that he's "good enough" and not a coward. He gets his chance when Ned, Shae, and Jess are kidnapped, escape into a wilderness, and must survive while injured. The suspense came from the danger from the kidnapper who's hunting them and the danger from the injuries and weather. The main characters acted realistically to events, and I cared about what happened to them.

Much of Jess and Pete's romance was told as flashbacks, which they each think about while waiting for rescue efforts to move forward. Jess has tried not to hurt anyone and has instead hurt everyone. Neither feels like they deserve a happy ending but still love the person that they are when around the other.

The Christian theme was that God loves you even if you don't deserve it. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable story.


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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

In Too Deep by Lynn H. Blackburn

In Too Deep by Lynn H. Blackburn ISBN-13: 9780800729295 Paperback: 352 pages Publisher: Revell Released: Nov. 6, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
When the dive team is called in to recover a body from a submerged car, they aren't prepared to find an encrypted laptop--or an unsettling connection between investigator Adam Campbell and the dead accountant. Adam turns to his friend Dr. Sabrina Fleming--a professor at the local university with unparalleled computer security and forensics skills--to recover the files from the laptop. But the deeper they dig, the deadlier the investigation becomes.

When evidence uncovers a human trafficking ring and implicates members of Adam's own extended family, he and Sabrina will have to risk everything to solve the case. Someone is willing to do whatever it takes to silence anyone who threatens to reveal their secrets.


My Review:
In Too Deep is a Christian romantic suspense novel. The dive team searched for evidence and retrieved a sunken car, but the hero didn't dive at all. The rest of the investigation occurred above water, mostly in a computer lab doing things like retrieving evidence from a waterlogged laptop. The suspense came from repeated attacks on the team investigating the murder, and most of the attacks were focused on the heroine. They're not certain why she's the main target, which created further mystery.

The dive team main characters reacted realistically to events, and I cared about what happened to them. Adam has loved Sabrina for years, but she doesn't feel like she would be accepted by his rich family. The danger to her life prompted him to act on his feelings, and they have to deal with the secrets in her family background and how his family will react to her.

They both believe in God and that motivates them to protect those who can't protect themselves. They are willing to risk their family reputations in order to free people being illegally forced to work for low or no wages. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I would recommend this exciting 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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania by Murray Pura

My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania by Murray Pura ISBN-13: 9781683227403 Paperback: 256 pages Publisher: Barbour Books Released: November 1, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Journey into Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, of 1863. By day, Clarissa Avery Ross is the daughter of a respectable shoemaker being courted by seminary student Kyle Forrester. But by night she is a conductor on the Underground Railroad, working with a mysterious man called Liberty. She would like to share her work with Kyle, but he refuses to enlist when the war breaks out. How can she remain true to a man she feels is a coward? When the war comes to her back door in an epic battle, the greatest challenges are yet to come.


My Review:
My...Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is a romance set in 1860 to 1863 in Gettysburg. In the first half of the book, the scenes where Clarissa led escaped slaves along the Underground Railroad were exciting. But it seemed like most of the scenes were of her 'normal' life, like her romantic walks with Kyle. When war broke out, we got a lot of "I hate you" and "I love you" scenes and love letters while her fiance's at war. Excitement returned when the war came to Gettysburg (and they still managed to spend time kissing intensely).

My main problem was with the hussy...er, heroine. She was extremely forward about embracing and passionately kissing a man, even before he was officially courting her. They also had premarital sex (implied rather than described). She justified this to herself--that God would bless this--because they love each other. She even called herself by his last name and called him her husband before the actual wedding.

I was continually annoyed by her spoiled attitude. She was hateful to people who hurt her pride--for example, Liberty scared her when trying to save her life and even apologized for it, but she basically cursed him to hell for doing so. She was impulsive plus often jumped to wrong conclusions. She's a red head, so she feels that passion, a quick temper, and tantrums are alright. One minute she hates a man and the next she's attracted to him. Even with her beauty and kisses, I can't understand why any man was attracted to her. But they all were.

There were no graphic sex scenes or bad language. Overall, I enjoy actual diaries from this time more than this story, but people who enjoy impulsive, passionate heroines may enjoy it.


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.

Uneasy Lies the Crown by Tasha Alexander

Uneasy Lies the Crown by Tasha Alexander ISBN-13: 9781250164704 Hardcover: 304 pages Publisher: Minotaur Books Released: Oct. 30, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
On her deathbed, Queen Victoria asks to speak privately with trusted agent of the Crown, Colin Hargreaves, and slips him a letter with one last command: Une sanz pluis. Sapere aude. “One and no more. Dare to know.”

The year is 1901 and the death of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch has sent the entire British Empire into mourning. But for Lady Emily and her dashing husband, Colin, the grieving is cut short as another death takes center stage. A body has been found in the Tower of London, posed to look like the murdered medieval king Henry VI. When a second dead man turns up in London's exclusive Berkeley Square, his mutilated remains staged to evoke the violent demise of Edward II, it becomes evident that the mastermind behind the crimes plans to strike again.

The race to find the killer takes Emily deep into the capital’s underbelly, teeming with secret gangs, street children, and sleazy brothels—but the clues aren’t adding up. Even more puzzling are the anonymous letters Colin has been receiving since Victoria's death, seeming to threaten her successor, Edward VII. With the killer leaving a trail of dead kings in his wake, will Edward be the next victim?


My Review:
Uneasy Lies the Crown is a historical mystery set in England. There were two story lines, one set in 1415 (and some years after that) and the main mystery set in 1901, right after Queen Victoria's death. This is the 13th book in a series, but you don't need to read the previous books to understand this one. This book did not spoil any previous mysteries in the series.

Lady Emily's husband is busy ensuring the safety of the new King after a murdered man is found dressed up like a past, murdered king. She's not so sure that the threat is against the new king despite the "murdered king" theme, so she asked people questions to find the link between the murder victims. She tried to prevent any future murders even though the victims weren't nice men. At the end, she jumped to some conclusions with little proof because she trusts her intuition. (Granted, I suspected these people, too, but I prefer firm proof before a character starts making accusations like they're a fact.)

There were no graphic sex scenes. There were a couple uses of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting and enjoyable 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.

Lady of a Thousand Treasures by Sandra Byrd

Lady of a Thousand Treasures by Sandra Byrd ISBN-13: 9781496426833 Paperback: 480 pages Publisher: Tyndale House Released: Oct. 9, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Miss Eleanor Sheffield is a talented evaluator of antiquities, trained to know the difference between a genuine artifact and a fraud. But with her father’s passing and her uncle’s decline into dementia, the family business is at risk. In the Victorian era, unmarried Eleanor cannot run Sheffield Brothers alone.

The death of a longtime client, Baron Lydney, offers an unexpected complication when Eleanor is appointed the temporary trustee of the baron’s legendary collection. She must choose whether to donate the priceless treasures to a museum or allow them to pass to the baron’s only living son, Harry—the man who broke Eleanor’s heart.

Eleanor distrusts the baron’s motives and her own ability to be unbiased regarding Harry’s future. Harry claims to still love her and Eleanor yearns to believe him, but his mysterious comments and actions fuel her doubts. When she learns an Italian beauty accompanied him on his return to England, her lingering hope for a future with Harry dims.

With the threat of debtor’s prison closing in, Eleanor knows that donating the baron’s collection would win her favor among potential clients, saving Sheffield Brothers. But the more time she spends with Harry, the more her faith in him grows. Might Harry be worthy of his inheritance, and her heart, after all? As pressures mount and time runs out, Eleanor must decide whom she can trust—who in her life is false or true, brass or gold—and what is meant to be treasured.


My Review:
Lady of a Thousand Treasures is a Christian historical romance set in 1866 in England. Eleanor is a skilled, kind, and well-meaning woman. Harry is honorable but made mistakes because he was desperate to find approval with his father. His father continued to punish them from beyond the grave by asking Eleanor to decide if Harry is trustworthy while providing her with inaccurate information. Eleanor is determined to find the truth, but in the process she may destroy her relationship with Harry through her doubts about him.

The story was suspenseful as Eleanor went from one trouble to the next, but most of these were brought on by illogical behavior. For example, she had full right to go into a locked room. Instead of going with everyone's full knowledge, though, she sneaked away at night (without a light) and broke into the room only to nearly be trapped where no one would know to look. She also did things like carry valuable items into dangerous areas. The suspense often seemed forced to me.

Other people also acted illogically to create suspense. When a treasure went missing, Eleanor was blamed because she was inventorying items at the time. Yet she was never entrusted with that treasure's safekeeping and didn't even know it existed until is was gone. No one questioned the people who actually did control treasure, they just blamed her and made finding it her responsibility. Another example is that the help at the antique shop was so obviously untrustworthy yet Eleanor fell for his manipulations until she had to face the consequences of his actions--for which, yet again, people were holding her responsible.

The book read like the author put a lot of historical research into it, but I found errors throughout it. Many of the details about prison and a woman's ability to take over financial control of her uncle's assets (signing for his debt, signing contracts, withdrawing his money, selling his things, etc.) without his knowledge don't match what I've read about that time period. If you don't care about perfect historical accuracy, the story should be enjoyable enough, but I felt frustrated by it.

The theme was not being afraid of being tested and found true. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable story even if it frustrated me at times.


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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Catching Christmas by Terri Blackstock

Catching Christmas by Terri Blackstock ISBN-13: 9780310351726 Hardcover: 304 pages Publisher: Thomas Nelson Released: Oct. 9, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
As a first-year law associate, Sydney Batson knows she will be updating her resume by New Year’s if she loses her current court case. So when her grandmother gets inexplicably ill while she’s in court, Sydney arranges for a cab to get her to the clinic.

The last thing cab driver Finn Parrish wants is to be saddled with a wheelchair-bound old lady with dementia. But because Miss Callie reminds him of his own mother, whom he failed miserably in her last days, he can’t say no when she keeps calling him for rides. Once a successful gourmet chef, Finn’s biggest concern now is making his rent, but half the time Callie doesn’t remember to pay him. She leads him on wild goose chases to find a Christmas date for her granddaughter.

He’s reluctantly willing to help fulfill Callie’s Christmas wish. He just never expected to be a vital part of it.


My Review:
Catching Christmas is a rather depressing Christian general fiction novel. The whole story is full of sadness, guilt, and frustration. The story was written in first person, present tense and switched between Sydney and Finn. They initially had separate story lines. They didn't even meet until 36% of the way in to the story, when they briefly met and fought because Finn put a major guilt trip on Sydney. They don't meet again until halfway in, and they're still fighting. At 77%, after a sad, frustrating Christmas day (though with some happy moments), they're suddenly kissing each other. I've never felt inclined to kiss someone who makes me feel bad, so I just don't get it except that maybe she wanted someone to hold onto in her sadness.

So it's basically about: Callie, an old woman who publicly embarrasses people by pointing out their shortcomings and who is dying. Her granddaughter, Sydney, who is being used by her law firm to take the fall on a case that cannot be won. She went around feeling frustrated, angry, and guilty about the case preventing her from taking care of her grandmother. And Finn, who feels guilty that he let his own mother down when she was dying. He helped Callie due to guilt but resented every moment of it and felt like God--if there is a God--was punishing him. Though, by the end, he's thanking God for giving him a second chance.

The story's theme was about having correct priorities and spending time with the people we love while we still have the chance. Both Sydney and Finn were inspired by Callie's faith in God in the face of imminent death. There is no sex or 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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

The Guggenheim Mystery by Robin Stevens

The Guggenheim Mystery by Robin Stevens ISBN-13: 9780525582359 Hardcover: 336 pages Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Released: Oct. 16, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
The adventure that began in Siobhan Dowd's popular and acclaimed novel The London Eye Mystery at long last continues with Ted, Kat, and their cousin Salim investigating a theft at the Guggenheim Museum that's been pinned on Salim's mother!

When Ted and his big sister, Kat, take a trip to New York to visit their cousin Salim and their aunt Gloria, they think they're prepared for big-city adventures. But when a famous painting is stolen from the Guggenheim Museum, where Aunt Gloria works, the surprises begin to mount faster than they could have anticipated. With the police looking at Aunt Gloria as the prime suspect, Ted, Kat, and Salim become sleuthing partners, following a trail of clues across NYC to prove her innocence--and to pinpoint the real thief. Ultimately, it comes down to Ted, whose brain works in its own very unique way, to find the key to the mystery.


My Review:
The Guggenheim Mystery is a children's mystery. The point-of-view hero is a 12-year-old boy, and he worked to solve the mystery along with his older sister and his cousin. He's well informed, very observant, and good at reasoning things out, but he has trouble dealing with new or unusual situations. He doesn't think or act quite like other kids. He had trouble coping with being in New York City when he normally lives in London.

The kids asked questions in a reasonable way and looked at sources that might not have been obvious to everyone. They recorded what they discovered and eliminated suspects as best they could. The answer to whodunit and how was foreshadowed enough that it can be guessed, though it's not obvious.

This book is the second book in a series, but you don't need to read the previous book to understand this one. This book did not spoil the mystery of the previous book. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this enjoyable story.


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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Legacy of Mercy by Lynn Austin

Legacy of Mercy by Lynn Austin ISBN-13: 9780764217630 Paperback: 400 pages Publisher: Bethany House Released: Oct. 2, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Having returned to Chicago, young socialite Anna Nicholson can't seem to focus on her upcoming marriage. The new information she's learned about her birth mother continues to pull at her, and she hires Pinkerton detectives to help her find the truth. But as she meets people who once knew her mother and hears stories about the past, Anna soon discovers that some secrets are better left hidden.

Unflattering stories about Anna are leaked by someone who would love to see her disgraced and her engagement broken. And as Anna tries to share her faith with her society friends, she understands that her choice to seek God's purpose for her life isn't as simple as she had hoped.

When things are at their darkest, Anna knows she can turn to her grandmother, Geesje de Jonge, back in Holland, Michigan. Geesje's been helping new Dutch immigrants, including a teen with a haunted past, adjust to America. She only hopes that her wisdom can help all these young people through the turmoil they face.


My Review:
Legacy of Mercy is Christian historical fiction set in 1897 in Chicago and in Holland, Michigan. It's the second book in a series, and it continues the story of Anna and Geesje. While it can be read out of order, you will better understand the story if you read the first book before this one. This book also "spoils" many of the things discovered in the first book.

Anna has grown in her Christian faith. She digs into her past to learn more about her biological parents, but a jealous girl creates a scandal about her potential illegitimacy. Anna needs to marry her rich fiance in order to save her father from financial ruin, but they aren't a well-suited couple due to their different values. The scandal threatens their engagement, and she's conflicted about what to do.

Anna story alternated with Geesje's story. Geesje was asked to take in a young woman from Holland who had moved here with her grandfather after the loss of her family. The young woman is suicidal, and Geesje has to gain her trust and help her grieve her losses. The young woman has turned away from God because she sees him as unforgiving, like a grandfather. Geesje also helps the grandfather, who was a minister, to learn grace and how to show love.

The characters acted realistically, and I cared about what happened to them. Several characters struggled with how to best serve God. The book was written in first person, present tense. There were no sex scenes or bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this 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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Excellent Intentions by Richard Hull

Excellent Intentions by Richard Hull ISBN-13: 9781464209758 Paperback Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press Released: Oct. 2, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Great Barwick's least popular man is murdered on a train. Twelve jurors sit in court. Four suspects are identified - but which of them is on trial? This novel has all the makings of a classic murder mystery, but with a twist: as Attorney-General Anstruther Blayton leads the court through prosecution and defence, Inspector Fenby carries out his investigation. All this occurs while the identity of the figure in the dock is kept tantalisingly out of reach. Excellent Intentions is a classic crime novel laced with irreverent wit, first published in 1938.


My Review:
Excellent Intentions is a mystery set in England and originally published in 1938. The novel started at the opening of a trial and then had flashback descriptions of events as seen by various witnesses and the detective. The reader isn't told who is on trial until the end, but everyone is sure that the accused is guilty.

This is a clue-based puzzle mystery. There were only four main suspects, and I quickly narrowed it down to two based on the same reasoning that the characters followed later in the story. The evidence seemed to point toward one character, so I reasoned out a scenario for that character. But that seemed too obvious, so I came up with a scenario that worked for the other one. We don't learn the final evidence that determines whodunit until after the characters have essentially revealed who the accused is.

There was no sex. There was only a couple uses of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting 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.

The Chinese Orange Mystery by Ellery Queen

The Chinese Orange Mystery by Ellery Queen ISBN-13: 9781613161104 Hardcover Publisher: American Mystery Classics Released: Oct. 2, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The offices of foreign literature publisher and renowned stamp collector Donald Kirk are often host to strange activities, but the most recent occurrence­—the murder of an unknown caller, found dead in an empty waiting room—is unlike any that has come before. Nobody, it seems, entered or exited the room, and yet the crime scene clearly has been manipulated, leaving everything in the room turned backwards and upside down. Stuck through the back of the corpse’s shirt are two long spears—and a tangerine is missing from the fruit bowl. Enter amateur sleuth Ellery Queen, who arrives just in time to witness the discovery of the body, only to be immediately drawn into a complex case in which no clue is too minor or too glaring to warrant careful consideration.

Reprinted for the first time in over thirty years, The Chinese Orange Mystery is revered to this day for its challenging conceit and inventive solution. The book is a “fair-play” mystery in which readers have all the clues needed to solve the crime.


My Review:
The Chinese Orange Mystery is a mystery set in New York City and was originally published in 1934. The mystery was a clue-based puzzle that can be solved based on the clues. I was able to narrow my suspects down much more quickly than the detective or his clever son, Ellery Queen. Ellery got started down an odd, wrong track at the start. There really wasn't a lot more to go on by the time the author asked the reader to guess whodunit than there was shortly after the murder. Still, it was entertaining to see the results of Ellery following up on every "backward" lead.

I was able to guess whodunit after we're given the vague details of the experiments that Ellery performed AFTER the author suggested that the reader guess at whodunit. However, I could not guess how or why. There was no sex. There was occasional use of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting 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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Lethal Target by Janice Cantore

Lethal Target by Janice Cantore ISBN-13: 9781496423740 Paperback: 416 pages Publisher: Tyndale House Released: Oct. 9, 2018

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Police Chief Tess O'Rourke thought she'd taken care of her small town's drug problem last year. But now Rogue's Hollow residents are up in arms over a contentious vote on legalizing the sale of marijuana within city limits. And when an eighteen-year-old is found dead of a possible overdose, Tess wonders if the local pot farms might be involved and begins to fear that a new, deadlier drug supply chain has cropped up.

With her relationship to Sergeant Steve Logan on shaky ground, Tess could really use a friend, and she feels drawn to Pastor Oliver Macpherson's quiet presence. But the anger she holds over her father's death prevents her from embracing his faith and finding peace. Battling storms within and without, Tess is shocked when an enemy from her past shows up in town to stir up more trouble and works to turn the town against her. When she learns that a drug boss has put a price on her head, it feels like everyone has turned against her.


My Review:
Lethal Target is a Christian suspense novel. It's the second book in a series and is a continuation of that story, though you can understand what's going on if you read it as a stand alone. I'd strongly recommend reading them in order, though, especially as the events in the previous novel are "spoiled" in this one.

Poor Tess has to deal with a lot in this novel. She's called to the scene of a teenager's death. It looks like a drug overdose, but some things aren't quite right. The teenager's father is angry at her for even considering that his son might have done drugs and for not instantly solving the crime. Someone from her past who hates her comes along to stir up the town against her, and a drug boss wants everyone dead who was involved in killing a family member (which includes Tess). Tess just wants to solve the crimes and stop the bad guys, but it seems like everyone's making this as difficult as possible.

The characters acted realistically, and I cared about what happened to them. I liked Tess's tenacity, sense of duty, and compassion. Pastor Oliver's willingness to reach out to anyone and show God's love helped several people find emotional and spiritual peace. Tess dealt with her anger with God over letting her father die in the line of duty when she was young. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this engaging, suspenseful story.


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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

In at the Death by Francis Duncan

In at the Death by Francis Duncan ISBN-13: 9781492673408 Paperback: 320 pages Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark Released: Oct. 2, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Mordecai Tremaine and Chief Inspector Jonathan Boyce travel to Bridgton to investigate the murder of the local doctor. No sooner have they arrived than it becomes clear that the city harbors more than its fair share of passions and motives...and one question echoes loudly throughout the cobbled streets: why did Dr. Hardene, the local GP of impeccable reputation, bring a revolver with him on a routine visit to a patient?


My Review:
In at the Death is a mystery set in England that was originally published in 1952. It is the fourth book in a series, but you don't need to read the previous books to understand this one. The amateur sleuth of the series, Mordecai Tremaine, has permission to follow Chief Inspector Jonathan Boyce around as he investigates.

The mystery was a clue-based puzzle. Whodunit can be correctly guessed before the big reveal, though the author tried to create uncertainty about who Mordecai's main suspect was near the end. Both the detective and Mordecai asked good questions and observed important clues. Since Mordecai wasn't official, he was able to see things that the detective didn't. He passed on useful information and solved the mystery.

There was no sex. There were only a few uses of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable puzzle 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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Burden of Proof by DiAnn Mills

Burden of Proof by DiAnn Mills ISBN-13: 9781496427045 Paperback: 416 pages Publisher: Tyndale Released: Oct. 9, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Reeling from a negotiation gone wrong, FBI Special Agent April Ramos is caught off guard when a frazzled young woman shoves a crying baby into her arms, then disappears. Worry for the child’s safety quickly turns to fear when a man claiming to be the girl’s father abducts them at gunpoint. April puts her hostage negotiation skills to use to learn more about who she’s dealing with: Jason Snyder, a fugitive accused of murder.

As Jason spins a tall tale about being framed for the killing of his business partner, April must sort through his claims to find the truth. A truth that becomes all the more evident after April overhears a conversation between Jason and the local sheriff and realizes something more sinister may be happening in their small town of Sweet Briar, Texas. But aligning herself with a known fugitive to uncover the burden of proof could cost April her job . . . or worse, her life and the lives of other innocent people.


My Review:
Burden of Proof is a Christian romantic suspense novel. The hero helped the corrupt, local sheriff's wife and child escape his abuse, and the sheriff will do anything to get them back. The sheriff sets the hero up as the main suspect in a murder.

The hero has a temper and made some bad decisions. He insisted on doing things his own way and sometimes even kept important evidence to himself. The heroine tries to win his trust and to keep him from (legally speaking) messing up the evidence that has proven so difficult to gather. She has her hands full.

The suspense was created by the repeated attacks on the main characters. The main characters were likable, but I often felt exasperated with the hero since his actions often needlessly put the heroine (and himself) in danger. By the end, he realized that his desire to be in control (even the illusion of control) hadn't helped matters.

The characters occasionally prayed for help. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this exciting 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.