A Return of Devotion by Kristi Ann Hunter

A Return of Devotion by Kristi Ann Hunter ISBN-13: 9780764230769 Paperback: 352 pages Publisher: Bethany House Released: Feb. 5, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Daphne Blakemoor was perfectly happy living in her own secluded world for twelve years. She had everything she needed—loved ones, a true home, and time to indulge her imagination. But when ownership of the estate where she works as a housekeeper passes on, and the new marquis has an undeniable connection to her past, everything she's come to rely upon is threatened.

William, Marquis of Chemsford's main goal in life is to be the exact opposite of his father. Starting a new life in the peace and quiet of the country sounds perfect until his housekeeper turns his life upside down.

They've spent their lives hiding from the past. Can they find the courage to face their deepest wounds and, perhaps, find a new path for the future together?


My Review:
A Return of Devotion is a Christian romance set in 1816 in England. This is the second book in a series. It can be read as a standalone, but reading the previous story will help you to better understand the situation that Daphne is in. This book does not spoil much of the previous story.

When Daphne was young, she let her imagination carry her away into a romantic fantasy which misled her into becoming pregnant with no chance of marriage. She has raised her son at Haven Manor, a remote house that was essentially abandoned by the owner. However, William, the new owner, has sent word that he's coming to stay and look the manor over. He looks exactly like Daphne's nearly teenaged son even though he is not the father. She tries to prevent the two from meeting, leaving her in a mess when answers are demanded both by her son and William.

William was a kind and very patient hero who tried to make things better for Daphne, partly because a family member hurt her in the past and partly because he comes to love her. Daphne still felt guilt over getting pregnant out of wedlock. Seeing no better option, she tried to overcome her extreme shyness and learn how to be a housekeeper for William. But she's miserable without a special purpose--something she can do to help other people. William helps her to find that purpose.

Daphne learns to accept the forgiveness that she knows God has extended to her. 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.

Never Let Go by Elizabeth Goddard

Never Let Go by Elizabeth Goddard ISBN-13: 9780800729844 Paperback: 368 pages Publisher: Revell Released: Feb. 5, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
As a forensic genealogist, Willow Anderson is following in her late grandfather's footsteps in her quest for answers about a baby abducted from the hospital more than twenty years ago. The case may be cold, but things are about to heat up when someone makes an attempt on her life to keep her from discovering the truth.

Ex-FBI agent--and Willow's ex-flame--Austin McKade readily offers his help to protect the woman he never should have let get away. Together they'll follow where the clues lead them, even if it means Austin must face the past he's spent much of his life trying to forget. And even if it puts Willow's tender heart at risk.


My Review:
Never Let Go is a romantic suspense novel. Unfortunately, the story just didn't work for me. Austin deals with emotional trauma in his past by ignoring it. Willow can't help but dig up a person's past. This is given as the reason their relationship didn't work, so it should be great once Austin starts sharing about his past. Except her lack of trust is still a major issue. It's things like her asking (or agreeing) that he should leave, then feeling devastated that he's abandoning her (which he's never done). Or he's been doing sweet things for her and buys a necklace that she was admiring, and she's hurt and jealous that he must be buying that necklace for some unknown girlfriend. He even asks her, "Please, just trust me for once in your life!" And she does...once. Then she's back to assuming the worst about him. I don't understand why he's even attracted to her.

The mystery/suspense also didn't work for me. They followed up on a old clue and showed people an age-progressed picture of their suspect. People immediately know who she is. So why did the FBI agents not find her since they had a more accurate photo 21 years ago? And you know that the whole small town would have been talking about this young, single, local woman who, without getting pregnant, suddenly had a baby. And the one person who knew the identity of the Bad Guy had been killed by the start of our story, so I still don't understand why he was drawing attention (and a much more severe prison term) to himself by going around trying to kill the investigators. His tracks were already covered. And the girl still being alive was what was bringing about his ultimate aim. So why try to kill her and others to prevent her discovery? It just didn't make any sense.

And, finally, at about 60% of the way in, the story could have neatly wrapped up. So the author had Austin's brother basically reason, "Everything my brother has told me fits the facts as I know them, but I won't ask him why he thinks he's working for the girl's birth mother. I'll just assume he's been hired by the killer (who is now trying to kill them?) and do my best to prevent them from finding the girl!" Talk about forced. Willow's main job in the story seemed to be doing things without thinking about the consequences, getting attacked by bad guys, and trying to stay alive long enough for Austin to save her. This just wasn't my type of book. There was no bad language or 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.

Escape to Everly Manor by Chalon Linton

Escape to Everly Manor by Chalon Linton ISBN-13: 9781524408374 Paperback: 240 pages Publisher: Covenant Communications Released: Feb. 1, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from NetGalley:
Nineteen-year-old Lizzy and her nine-year-old brother, Thomas, find themselves orphaned after a tragic accident claims the lives of their parents. Their estranged, cruel Uncle Cline arrives to claim his inheritance, and he's determined to spend his newfound wealth and rid himself of his charges. Desperate to save her brother from a dangerous life as a cabin boy on a merchant ship, and herself from being married off to a detestable old gentleman, Lizzy schemes how they can run away.

Lizzy and Thomas escape and find refuge in an abandoned cabin. Lizzy soon meets a Mr. Barton in the nearby village, and the charming gentleman is immediately intrigued by the mysterious young woman. Through his kindness to herself and her brother, Lizzy begins to trust him and hope for a life in which she can live—and love—as she chooses.


My Review:
Escape to Everly Manor is a romance novel set in 1813 in England. There were many little things in the story that seemed improbable to me. For example, it wasn't until nearly the end that someone questioned why their parents named a cruel uncle as their guardian and left them completely dependent upon him. It's not like Lizzy and Thomas had no friendly adults in their life to look into the matter. Also, everyone acted like it was shocking for a nine-year-old boy to work, but factories (among other places) regularly employed young boys. So I didn't find it very historically accurate.

The main characters were nice and meant well, but they didn't always act realistically. Plus Lizzy was pretty useless in a crisis and quite adept at getting into situations where she was helpless and needed to be rescued. Even Barton sometimes acted stupidly when it came to a crisis. For example, he once handed what was obviously a weapon to someone who wanted to use it on him. Still, the author tried to create suspense through violent storms, injuries, and kidnappings.

The romance developed over time as trust built between the two. Barton was kind and patient. Lizzy had very little care for her own happiness and was determined to protect Thomas above everything (though her plans didn't do a very good job with that). Lizzy treated her brother like a five-year-old, babying him and acting like he's incapable of handling difficult situations. She rejected Barton in favor of caring for her brother, even though it's clear that she didn't have to make a choice between them. She let Barton kiss and hold her on several occasions but didn't even try to find a way to make a relationship with him work. Frankly, she kept making bad decisions even when better options were available. 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.

The Sky Above Us by Sarah Sundin

The Sky Above Us by Sarah Sundin ISBN-13: 9780800727987 Paperback: 384 pages Publisher: Revell Released: Feb. 5, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Numbed by grief and harboring shameful secrets, Lt. Adler Paxton ships to England with the US 357th Fighter Group in 1943. Determined to become an ace pilot, Adler battles the German Luftwaffe in treacherous dogfights in the skies over France as the Allies struggle for control of the air before the D-day invasion.

Violet Lindstrom wanted to be a missionary, but for now she serves in the American Red Cross, where she arranges entertainment for the men of the 357th in the Aeroclub on base and sets up programs for local children. Drawn to the mysterious Adler, she enlists his help with her work and urges him to reconnect with his family after a long estrangement.

Despite himself, Adler finds his defenses crumbling when it comes to Violet. But D-day draws near. And secrets can't stay buried forever.


My Review:
The Sky Above Us is a Christian historical romance set from Oct. 2, 1943 to June 24, 1944 in England. It shows the lead up to D-Day and the invasion from the viewpoint of a USA fighter pilot and a Red Cross volunteer at his airbase. This book is the second in a series. Though it includes enough information that it can be read as a stand alone, the three books are linked as each brother is motivated by a shared painful incident in their past.

Adler is very competitive and is determined to make ace pilot while forgetting how badly he wronged his two brothers in the past. He's ordered to be wingman to another pilot who's a friend, but being wingman will prevent him from making ace. God keeps placing him in positions where he must put others before himself, and he learns humility, compassion, and how to accept forgiveness.

Violet has been urged by a relative to become a missionary. She loves God enough to do that, but the missions board won't send a single woman. She loves children, so she goes to England thinking she'll be helping the refuge children. Only she's assigned to serve donuts to rough-around-the-edges American pilots. Adler seems more of a gentleman than the others, and she wants to help him heal and find God's love. She progressively realizes that she's been looking down on others and feeling self-righteous when she has no right to.

The main characters acted realistically to events and had depth. After having grown through the events in the book, the hero and heroine end up as a good match with shared goals and values. The fighter pilot scenes were suspenseful. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this excellent and exciting historical 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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

A Murder Unmentioned by Sulari Gentill

A Murder Unmentioned by Sulari Gentill ISBN-13: 9781464206979 Hardcover Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press Released: Feb. 12, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The gun used in Rowland Sinclair's father's death some thirteen years earlier has turned up in a drained dam at the family's country homestead in Yass. Rowland and his elder brother, Wil, had avoided any discussion of the event. The possible involvement of the teenage Rowly and his older brother's intervention comes to light as their enemies use their influence to set the police to renew their inquiries into Henry Sinclair's death.

Rowly and the trio of artist friends who live in his Sydney suburban mansion, and generally have his back, avail themselves of a racing green Gypsy Moth (Rowland is a pioneer in air travel) and a yellow Mercedes sports car (another frightening mode of transport) to arrive in New South Wales' Southern Tablelands, bent on clearing Rowly's name.

With cameo appearances from historical figures - Bob Menzies in the Sinclair kitchen, Edna Walling in the garden, and Kate Leigh grinning lasciviously at Rowly in a jailhouse crowd - and a real sense of fun contrasting with the quite genuine tension.


My Review:
A Murder Unmentioned is a mystery set in Dec. 1933 in Australia. This is the sixth novel in a series. This story referred back to events that happened in previous books, especially the fourth book, but you don't have to read the previous books in order to follow this one.

The main characters were interesting, caring people. Rowly was even more hot tempered than usual, ready to punch people for any insult. It was a clue-based mystery. I caught on to who the anonymous informant was long before Rowly and Wil, but it was realistic that they didn't suspect that person until strong evidence pointed in that direction. Rowly had to save people's lives at several points in the story, which added suspense. Interesting historical details were woven into the the story.

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.

No Escape Claws by Sofie Ryan

No Escape Claws by Sofie Ryan ISBN-13: 9781101991244 Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: Jan. 29, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
It's fall in North Harbor, Maine, where Sarah owns a charming secondhand shop and sells lovingly refurbished items of all kinds. The shop is always bustling--and not just because a quirky team of senior-citizen detectives works out of it and manages to get in even more trouble than Sarah's rough-and-tumble rescue cat, Elvis.

A cold case heats up when young Mallory Pearson appears at the shop. Mallory's father is in prison for negligence after her stepmother's mysterious death, but Mallory believes he is innocent and asks the in-house detectives to take on the case. With Sarah and Elvis lending a paw, the detectives decide to try to give Mallory's father a second chance of his own.


My Review:
No Escape Claws is a cozy mystery. It is the sixth book in the series, but you don't need to read the previous books to understand this one. This book did not spoil any of the previous mysteries.

The main characters were nice, engaging people. They were trying to prove that a person hadn't committed a crime, so they also had to prove who did do it. The amateur detectives asked questions and looked into various alibis. I immediately realized that the judge's identification of the culprit was based mostly on the hat (which is a clue that got them asking the right questions), but it took a very long time for the characters to figure that out. I also correctly realized whodunit a good bit before the main characters. The cat didn't even play much of a role except that of "cute cat."

There were no sex scenes. There was occasional use of bad language. 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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

The Colour of Murder by Julian Symons

The Colour of Murder by Julian Symons ISBN-13: 9781464210891 Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press Released: Feb. 5, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
John Wilkins meets a beautiful, irresistible girl, and his world is turned upside down. But did he really commit the heinous crime he was accused of? Told innovatively in two parts: the psychiatric assessment of Wilkins and the trial for suspected murder on the Brighton seafront, Symons' award-winning mystery tantalizes the reader with glimpses of the elusive truth and makes a daring exploration of the nature of justice itself.


My Review:
The Colour of Murder is a crime story set in England and originally published in 1957. The first half of the story was John recounting to a psychologist the events leading up to the murder. He's unhappy with his wife and attracted to a beautiful, young girl. He makes up an elaborate fantasy world around this girl, though she's not consciously encouraging him. He has blackouts when he drinks too much, but he's so unhappy that he's drinking too much. Then a murder occurs and John is arrested for it. He has no memory of the critical parts of that evening because he was drinking.

At this point, I was bored as I was expecting a mystery rather than a story of a pitiful mid-life crisis. Then we get into the actual murder trial. The evidence increasingly showed that John was unlikely to have committed the murder (though it was still possible). However, the police and jury don't see anyone else with an obvious motive--though they weren't looking too hard. There were clues and, at the very end, John's lawyer is certain he knows who did it.

Basically, this novel is less a mystery and more of a commentary on the justice system and how lawyers twist the truth to fit the image they are trying to build. John couldn't stand being seen as the type of person they made him out to be and ends up insane. I found it a rather depressing read. There was a fair amount of bad language (including b**ch). There were no sex scenes.


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


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

The Coronation by Boris Akunin

The Coronation by Boris Akunin ISBN-13: 978-0802127815 Hardcover: 368 pages Publisher: Mysterious Press Released: Feb. 5, 2019

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

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
After five years spent abroad building up a business as something of a private investigator, the handsome, stuttering Fandorin is back in Moscow--and in for a case that entangles him with the highest echelons of Romanov royalty. Grand Duke Georgii Alexandrovich arrives in Moscow with three of his children for the coronation of Tsar Nicholas II, who is fated to become the last Emperor of Russia.

During an afternoon stroll in the park, Georgii's daughter Xenia is dragged away by bandits, only to be rescued by an elegant gentleman and his Japanese sidekick. The passing heroes introduce themselves as Erast Petrovich Fandorin and Masa, but panic ensues when the party realizes that four-year-old Mikhail has been snatched in the confusion. A ransom letter arrives from an international criminal demanding the handover of the Count Orlov, an enormous diamond on the royal scepter which is due to play a part in the coronation. Can the gentleman detective find Mikhail in time?


My Review:
The Coronation is a mystery set in May 1896 in Moscow. It's the seventh book in a series. You don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one, and this novel didn't spoil the previous novels.

The viewpoint character was a butler for the Grand Duke Georgii Alexandrovich. He spent a lot of time thinking about his butler duties in the first part of the book. While interesting, that did slow the pacing for the suspense and mystery. The series heroes are not viewpoint characters, so we only learn what the butler sees or is told. And he's a fool who keeps messing things up because he has no faith in the hero's abilities.

After the kidnapping, the story was a race to find and save the child mixed with events related to the coronation and various romances of all types. I guessed who the mastermind, Dr. Lind, was shortly after the kidnapping. Someone made a comment that made me think "oh, I bet that character is the mastermind." It's extremely rare that I'll jump to the back of the book, but I did so in this case and it turned out I was correct. However, it was realistic that the characters in the story didn't catch on until the very end. Don't expect a happy ending – even the butler wasn't happy, and things turned out well for him.

There were no graphic sex scenes. There was some bad language. I'd recommend this mystery to those interested in the Russian setting.


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 House of Stone and Ivy by Anita Stansfield

The House of Stone and Ivy by Anita Stansfield ISBN-13: 9781524408565 Paperback: 280 pages Publisher: Covenant Communications Released: Jan. 1, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Orphaned as children, Hennie and Lottie share an unbreakable friendship. Together, they suffered the horrors of orphanages and the workhouse, and now grown, they continue to rely on each another. When Lottie approaches Hennie about a possible position at a manor house, Hennie is eager to work alongside her dear friend. However, to secure the positions as stable hands, they will have to undergo a bold act of deception: the women must disguise themselves as men.

Upon arriving at the manor, Hennie is stunned. Her new position is at Ivy Manor—the beautiful estate where her mother was employed long ago and where Hennie was raised until her mother’s death. Hennie has wonderful memories of her friendship with the son of the house, Jack, and is shocked and dismayed to learn he has vanished. Living in disguise at the manor allows her to gradually uncover the truth of Jack’s disappearance and eventually find him. Both Hennie and Jack are thrilled to be reunited, and their friendship is renewed. Soon, their relationship blossoms . . . and threatens their determination to remain concealed. Will they be prepared to risk everything for love?


My Review:
The House of Stone and Ivy is a romance novel loosely set in 1808 in England. There were numerous historical details that were incorrect for this time period, but the story read more like a fairytale, anyway. The point of view was distant and omniscient, telling the reader what the various characters felt and what they did. There was a lot of telling what happened rather than showing events through scenes and dialogue, perhaps partly because several years pass during the story.

The characters were likable, and the romance was based on an enduring friendship. But the dialogue didn't flow naturally and often repeated what we were told they were thinking, which slowed the pace. There was little suspense because of the distant point of view and quick passage of time. We're quickly told how the potential problems turned out to not be problems. Only two people let their greed and self-interest prevent them from immediately forgiving and supporting the main characters. The only problem that was not solved quickly was the reason Jack was in hiding, and Hennie pushed him to face the conflict and find a solution. There were no sex scenes 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.

Protecting His Secret Son by Laura Scott

Protecting His Secret Son by Laura Scott ISBN-13: 9781335231901 Paperback: 224 pages Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense Released: Feb. 5, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
It's a shock to private investigator Mike Callahan to see Shayla O'Hare again, and with a child in tow--especially with shots flying her way. Protecting the pair must take priority over their tangled past. Is she being targeted for her family's crimes--including possibly killing Mike's father? And what will Mike do when he realizes her son is actually his son, too?


My Review:
Protecting His Secret Son is a Christian romantic suspense novel. It's the sixth in a series, but you can understand this book without reading the previous ones.

The romantic pair have a past: they slept together once, got engaged, then Mike accused her family of being involved with the people who killed his father. She left and didn't try too hard to let him know that she was pregnant with his son. Now she's back to visit her father, and someone starts shooting at her. Mike protects her while trying to figure out who is behind his father's death and why they're after Shayla. The secret comes out that he's the father of her son. He wants to be involved in his son's life, but she's still not feeling too cozy toward a man whom she thinks still believes her father and brother are corrupt. I liked the characters, and the Callahan brother finally solve their father's murder.

Both characters prayed to God for protection. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this suspenseful 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.

CrossFire by Jeanette Windle

CrossFire by Jeanette Windle ISBN-13: 9780825441431 Paperback: 617 pages Publisher: Kregel Publications Released: Aug. 26, 2009

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Following a whirlwind romance and impromptu wedding, Sara is whisked off to her husband's palatial family estate in Bolivia. Cultural differences and family adjustments are no match for her fierce love for Nicolas. But Sara soon opens a Pandora's box of questions surrounding the Cortez family's billion-dollar business, becoming ensnared in a deadly clash between her new family, a drug cartel, and the DEA.


My Review:
CrossFire is a Christian suspense novel. The first third of the book was setting everything up: a young gal longing for a loving family (since hers has died) has a whirlwind romance and marries a man from Bolivia. They return to his home, and she's shocked to realize how rich his family is. She accepts the lies that he tells her about his family because she wants it to be true, but soon she realizes that the family business is being used to smuggle cocaine into other countries. Through an English-speaking missionary church, she knows a DEA agent who has offered to help her if she ever needs it.

By about halfway through, she really, really needs help. She's gotten on the wrong side of powerful people determined to contain any damage she might do to them. She's brave, has integrity, and can think on her feet when she has to, so she manages to stay alive despite everything. The DEA agent is a kind and determined fellow who helps as much as he can.

The story is exciting and suspenseful, but I think I would have liked it better if it was a little shorter. We learn a lot about Bolivia and the drug situation there, and these details are what I like about this author's books. However, even right in the middle of suspenseful situations, we get these long lectures about things like what each character thinks about cocaine and how they justify their actions. A lot of this was repetitive, so it didn't add to my understanding of the situation and slowed the scenes.

Sara feels like God is a remote, uncaring deity to allow so much suffering to happen to her family. By the end, she can see how God has been using events to bring about a positive end and has a stronger sense that God personally cares about her. There was no sex scenes or bad language. 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.