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.