The Secret of the Lost Pearls by Darcie Wilde

The Secret of the Lost Pearls
by Darcie Wilde

ISBN-13: 9781496738011
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Released: February 2nd 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Rosalind Thorne may not have a grand fortune of her own, but she possesses virtues almost as prized by the haut ton: discretion, and a web of connections that enable her to discover just about anything about anyone. Known as a “most useful woman,” Rosalind helps society ladies in need—for a modest fee, of course—and her client roster is steadily increasing.

Mrs. Gerald Douglas, née Bethany Hodgeson, presents Rosalind with a particularly delicate predicament. A valuable pearl necklace has gone missing, and Bethany’s husband believes the thief is Nora, Bethany’s disgraced sister. Nora made a scandalous elopement at age sixteen and returned three years later, telling the family that her husband was dead.

But as Rosalind begins her investigations, under cover of helping the daughters of the house prepare for their first London season, she realizes that the family harbors even more secrets than scandals. The intrigue swirling around the Douglases includes fraud, forgery, blackmail, and soon, murder. And it will fall to Rosalind, aided by charming Bow Street officer Adam Harkness, to untangle the shocking truth and discover who is a thief—and who is a killer.


My Review:
The Secret of the Lost Pearls is a mystery set in 1820 in England. This is the sixth book in the series. You don't need to read the previous books to understand this one, and this one didn't spoil the previous mysteries.

This was a clue-based puzzle mystery. Rosalind asked good questions and collected information. She's clever, but many of the people involved lied to her, making determining the truth more difficult. Whodunit (who stole the pearls, who killed Nora's husband) was guessable near the end but wasn't obvious. The characters were interesting and reacted realistically to events. Historical details were woven into the story and helped bring the time period alive in my imagination.

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.

Wilderness Hunt by Lisa Phillips

Wilderness Hunt
by Lisa Phillips

ISBN-13: 9781335587442
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Released: December 27th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
When a plane carrying a federal witness crashes in the Montana backwoods, Officer Kelly Wayne and her K-9, Nico, track it down—and discover Ethan Harrigan injured with amnesia. Now with the mafia on their trail, Kelly must protect the man she thinks ruined her career. But nothing’s as it seems, and trusting the wrong person could get them all killed.


My Review:
Wilderness Hunt is a Christian romantic suspense novel. When Kelly was removed from an undercover assignment gathering evidence against a mafia boss, she moved to a rural area in Montana to become a K9 officer. Determined to prove her worth, she and her K9 set out to find a plane crashed in the wilderness carrying a federal witness. To her surprise, it's the police officer that she worked with undercover. The bad guys think he's not only a vital witness but knows the location of some missing mafia money. His brother Ethan was also on the plane along with at least one corrupt federal marshal. So all of them were wandering in the wilderness, hunted by thugs who want the money. Then it got even more complex. Kelly and Ethan had to sort it all out.

Ethan didn't know who to trust except Kelly, who's only worked to rescue him. Since she was involved in the undercover case, she's also in danger. Lots of people were out to hurt them in pursuit of the money, including some people who ought to be protecting them. I appreciated that Kelly was a competent cop the entire story, though she was injured and needed Ethan to help watch her back. Ethan's an ex-marine, so he's able to help protect them when his concussion wasn't messing with his skill. They generally got long well and appreciated each other's skill and support. They came to care about each other and wanted to try at a relationship after the current suspense was done. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable romantic suspense.


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.

Laurel's Dream by Pepper D. Basham

My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge: Laurel's Dream
by Pepper D. Basham

ISBN-13: 9781683227793
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Barbour Books
Released: January 1st 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Journey into the Blue Ridge Mountains of 1918 where Laurel McAdams endures the challenges of a hard life while dreaming things can eventually improve. But trouble arrives in the form of an outsider. Having failed his British father again, Jonathan Taylor joins is uncle's missionary endeavors as a teacher in a two-room schoolhouse. Laurel feels compelled to protect the tenderhearted teacher from the harsh realities of Appalachian life, even while his stories of life outside the mountains pull at Laurel's imagination. Faced with angry parents over teaching methods, Laurel's father's drunken rages, and bad news from England, will Jonathan leave and never return?


My Review:
Laurel's Dream is a Christian romance set in 1918 in the Appalachian Mountains. Laurel dreamed of saving up enough money to go to college, become a teacher, and come back to teach the local people. No outsider teacher stayed around or really understood the local culture enough to make an impact.

Jonathan left England to teach at the school because of his father's deep disapproval of him. He encouraged Laurel to develop her writing and storytelling skills as well as her dream of becoming a teacher. He dreamed of finishing his medical education so he could better serve the local's medical needs. But an accident leads to what appears to be the end of both their dreams.

The characters were likable, complex, and reacted realistically to events. The historical and setting details immersed me into the story and brought it alive in my imagination. Laurel struggled with why God would apparently deny her dream since she just wanted to help others. There were no sex scenes or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable 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.

The Sisters of Sea View by Julie Klassen

The Sisters of Sea View
by Julie Klassen

ISBN-13: 9780764234262
Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: Bethany House
Released: December 6th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
When their father's death leaves them impoverished, Sarah Summers convinces her sisters to open their seaside home to guests to provide for their ailing mother. Emily and Georgiana agree, but Viola, who wears a veil to cover a scar, detests the idea.

Determined to stay together, the sisters begin the new venture. Instead of the elderly invalids they expect, however, they find themselves hosting eligible gentlemen. Sarah is torn between a growing attraction to a mysterious Scottish widower and duty to her family. Meanwhile, the new situation exposes Viola's scars--both the visible and those hidden deep within--and her cloistered heart will never be the same.


My Review:
The Sisters of Sea View is a Christian romance set in 1819 in England. While three sisters had potential romances going on, this was mainly Viola's romance. She was born with a cleft lip and faced prejudice for it until, after several torturous surgeries, she finally had the lip fixed with only a scar left. But she's mentally scarred, too, so she wore a veil and avoided going out rather than face rejection. She chose to read to invalids to earn money, and her first client was a military man who was terribly burned while saving a friend from a fire. Viola quickly learned to look past his physical scars (though his attitude needed adjusting), yet she couldn't believe that others could do the same toward her. She (and the client) had to struggle through these issues and find the courage to face the world without hiding.

Historical details were woven into the story and brought it alive in my imagination. The characters were engaging, varied, and acted in realistic ways. I cared about what happened to them, including people staying at Sea View and the reading clients. They faced challenges and grew in character. There was no sex or bad language. 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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Shot Caller by Jen J. Danna

Shot Caller
by Jen J. Danna

ISBN-13: 9781496727916
Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Kensington Publishing
Released: August 31st 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
On Rikers Island, tensions always run high, especially in the Enhanced Supervision Housing unit. The ESH is home to Rikers' most dangerous offenders, many of them members of rival street gangs. When Gemma Capello and her team get word of an uprising at the ESH, they know how much is at stake. Gemma also has her own unresolved feelings to deal with--this is the first case she and Detective Sean Logan have worked together since a siege at City Hall that ended with the hostage taker's death.

Built to hinder escape, prisons are also especially difficult for a tactical team to invade. That's a last resort for Gemma, but the longer the inmates remain in control, holding corrections officers hostage, the greater the risk. Gemma begins negotiating with Kill Switch, a young, aggressive member of the Filero Kings gang and the inmates' spokesman. She can tell the stress level is escalating inside. That may give her team some advantages, but it soon leads to a brutal act of retribution--and threats of more to come.

Navigating assumptions on all sides, Gemma desperately tries to stop the body count from rising. But with disagreements and volatility increasing all around, the only certainty is that the next misstep may be a fatal one.


My Review:
Shot Caller is a suspense novel. It's the second book in a series, but it can be read as a stand-alone. The whole book was a negotiation between Gemma (working with the NYPD hostage negotiator team that she's a part of) and the inmates who took over a prison unit with officers taken as hostages. She tried to save every life, but there were several rival gangs vying for control, making the situation even more difficult. The suspense was high throughout as Gemma negotiated with men who were already in a disciplinary unit (so they didn't like or trust authority figures) and some were serving life sentences (so what's to lose?). The author did a great job of creating an intense, sustained suspense as to what would happen next!

The characters were interesting, acted in realistic ways, and I cared about what happened to them. Gemma is an awesome character. She's very competent at her job, is respected by her co-workers, and values life very highly. There were no sex scenes. There was a fair amount of 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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Into the West by Mercedes Lackey

Into the West
by Mercedes Lackey

ISBN-13: 9780756417369
Hardback: 496 pages
Publisher: DAW Books
Released: December 6th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Baron Valdemar and his people have found a temporary haven, but trouble could follow on their heels at any moment, and there are too many people for Crescent Lake to support. Those who are willing to make a further trek by barge on into the West will follow him into a wilderness depopulated by war and scarred by the terrible magics of a thousand years ago during the Mage Wars. But the wilderness is not as empty as it seems. There are potential friends and rapacious foes....and someone is watching them.


My Review:
Into the West is a fantasy. It's the second book in a series, and you'll better understand this book if you read them in order. This book also spoiled events in the first book.

Unfortunately, about a third of this book could have been cut or briefly summarized without changing the story, and the pacing would have been a lot better. The beginning dragged as we're told in people's thoughts (not shown, but told) how the people have been making do and using every last bit of resources with nothing to waste. We're told again and again the details about how every part of an animal was used for food, arrows, condoms, etc. We're not just told that they made winter clothing, we're given details about how it was sewn together. Details about how the manure left behind was handled and how a quick-growing grass spell worked (though this changed by the end, when dung wasn't apparently needed any more and even the rain was diverted). The author obviously put a lot of thought into the logistics of how to move thousands of fictional people in a magical world, but I just found this boring. Just say they made winter clothing, not half a page detailing how, especially as it didn't turn out to matter how they did it.

The Baron wasn't very interesting or realistic, either. Despite the first few sentences, he didn't really seem to struggle to change his ways from Empire ways to fully noble and self-sacrificing. He rarely made mistakes (though we're told why about halfway through) and everyone loved him (or got kicked out of the group). He gave himself pages-long lectures about how a wise leader acts. He and others thought about every last detailed reason why certain actions were or weren't allowed (like not letting the tow horses eat while working). He had a full conversation with one group of people and then went to a new group and repeated that full conversation. Things were just repeated a lot. When he negotiated near the end, he made everything extremely complicated in his thoughts, and I just gave up and skimmed that section rather than try to follow his reasoning.

However, Delia's sections were fun as she learned to use her skills and grew into a responsible adult. The sections with the fights against the odd, magical creatures were interesting as the characters had to think fast and experiment to see what would work. There were no sex scenes. There was a fair amount 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.

Meriden Park by Julie Daines

Meriden Park
by Julie Daines

ISBN-13: 9781524422431
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Released: December 5th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Following her childhood rescue from the gutters of Calcutta, Mary Grace has lived an astonishing rags-to-riches tale. The childless Wellings raised the half-Indian orphan with love and care, allowing her to grow into a beautiful and refined woman. But upon Mr. Welling's death, Mrs. Welling takes Mary home to England, to Meriden Park.

Despite her genial nature, Mary is received with suspicion by the villagers. For his part, however, Mr. Robert Markham is intrigued by the curious new beauty in town. Determined to make her acquaintance, he offers Mary a bargain: a hot cross bun for a kiss. She offers her hand for the kiss. The first of many encounters between Robert and Mary, their friendship blossoms into love during long walks in the privacy of Sherwood Forest. But the shadows of the forest hide a sinister secret, one Mary fears Robert might be a part of. As the mystery of the recent string of murders creeps closer and closer, Robert and Mary are drawn into a dangerous game. Unless she can unearth the truth, the couple risks losing one another forever.


My Review:
Meriden Park is a romance set in 1812 in England. Robert's enamored with the tales of Robin Hood, and he's trying to bring down a villain of his own who uses Sherwood Forest for smuggling. Robert's friends have been murdered after telling him of their suspicions but before proof could be found. With no land or money of his own, plus a bad heart, he can only offer Mary his admiration and friendship.

Mary's kind and polite to all but felt safe enough with Robert that she expressed her opinions. Usually, she's very aware that her origins mean that she doesn't fit in even with the correct manners and dress. She feels helpless as her one source of love and support, Mrs. Welling, is in poor health and she suspects that Robert's involved in something dangerous.

The main characters were likable, and Robert and Mary built each other up. When with Robert and later to help him, Mary came out of hiding behind her "mask." She discovered by the end the number of people she'd befriended and inspired along the way. Historical details were woven into the story to provide a distinct sense of the time and place. There was no sex or modern bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable 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.

Murder In The Basement by Anthony Berkeley

Murder In The Basement
by Anthony Berkeley

ISBN-13: 9781728261249
Trade Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Released: December 6th 2022

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Anthony Berkeley, one of the most influential crime writers of the 1920s and 1930s and founder of the prestigious Detection Club, returns to the reading public. Murder in the Basement was first published in 1932.

When newlyweds move into a new home only to discover a corpse in their basement, a grueling police investigation begins to identify the victim. When avenues of inquiry peter out, Chief Inspector Moresby follows a tenuous lead to amateur criminologist Roger Sheringham, who has been working in a school south of London. In need of evidence of any kind, Moresby picks through Sheringham's satirical novel about his colleagues at the school, convinced that the colorful cast of teachers hides the victim—and perhaps their murderer.


My Review:
Murder In The Basement is a mystery set in 1932 in England. This novel is the 8th 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. The first part of the novel described the finding of the body and the investigative steps taken by Chief Inspector Moresby to first identify the victim and then the murderer. While all the clues pointed toward one person, there wasn't enough proof to win the case in court.

Roger temporarily worked at the school that the victim was tracked back to and contributed to the investigation by describing the people and their relationships. By the end, Roger decided that he had to know what really happened for his personal satisfaction. He described his version of what happened to someone who knew more about the crime to see if he'd confirm it. I assume we're supposed to accept this scenario and feel satisfied, but I didn't like that neither man cared about justice. I also felt like whodunit was portrayed as too passive to "seize the chance" or plan such a detailed murder and another character better fit the clues.

I liked the writing style and found the characters interesting, but I read mysteries because I like having the real murderer go to jail at the end. There were a few of uses 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.

City of Fortune by Victoria Thompson

City of Fortune
by Victoria Thompson

ISBN-13: 9780593440575
Hardback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Released: December 6, 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Wealthy but uncouth Sebastian Nolan has invited his lawyer, Gideon Bates, and his lovely new wife, Elizabeth, to attend the famous Belmont Stakes. Nolan is anxious for Gideon and Elizabeth to help his daughter, Irene, acquire a bit of polish, now that his venture into thoroughbred racing has allowed them entry into society. He is also hoping to find her a rich potential suitor. Elizabeth is not exactly the society girl Nolan believes her to be, but she is eager to attend the races. Her con artist family has made a lot of money at racetracks, although not from betting on the horses, and she enjoys the excitement of the track.

Irene Nolan seems more interested in horses than husbands, and she jumps at the chance to show Elizabeth her horse, Trench, and introduce her to his rider, Cal Regan. Elizabeth soon realizes there is more than just a working relationship between Irene and Cal. But she also knows that Irene’s father would never allow his only daughter to marry a jockey. When Cal takes a terrible tumble injuring both himself and Irene’s beloved Trench, Elizabeth and Gideon learn that the mishap was not simply bad luck—the horse and rider are victims of sabotage.

It turns out that Sebastian Nolan has more than a few skeletons in his closet and someone is out to get their long sought-after revenge. Elizabeth knows that to help Irene and Cal, she is going to need some help in creating the quintessential con. With the ever honest Gideon at her side, she enlists those closest to her to come up with a scheme to give young Irene and Cal a first-place finish...if they'll accept the prize.


My Review:
City of Fortune is a historical set in 1919 in New York City. This is the 6th book in the series. You don't need to read the previous books to understand this one, and this book didn't spoil the previous novels. 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.

Elizabeth is a reformed con artist married to Gideon, an honorable lawyer who refuses to lie. Elizabeth and her family has learned how to use his honesty to help in her right-a-wrong cons, and Elizabeth's friends were more than happy to be a part of the fun. The reader isn't told the plans before they happen, so there's an element of mystery and suspense. But we see events as they happen and know the overall goal, so it's fun guessing how the cons are going to go. It was very entertaining and humorous.

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

Still Waters by Sara Driscoll

Still Waters
by Sara Driscoll

ISBN-13: 9781496735065
ebook: 304 pages
Publisher: Kensington Books
Released: November 29th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Keeping their search-and-rescue skills honed isn’t just a job requirement for FBI Special Agent Meg Jennings and her Labrador, Hawk—it’s essential to saving lives. A water search training weekend in the Boundary Waters area of Minnesota has attracted participants from all levels of law enforcement, each vying to win the associated dog trials. The races are challenging, the rivalry is intense, and Meg is already under pressure when Hawk alerts to a scent in the water—and discovers the fresh body of one of Meg’s fellow competitors.

The contest is called off, but Meg’s still feeling the heat. The victim had made an unfounded complaint about her, one that could cost Meg her job and see Hawk removed from her care. The field of suspects is daunting, and all of them are experts in throwing others off the trail. And though Meg’s team flies out to Minnesota to help uncover the truth, they’re on unfamiliar territory, pitted against a killer with the skills, and the motivation, to stay hidden in plain sight...


My Review:
Still Waters is a K9 suspense. This book is the seventh in a series, but you don't need to read the previous books to understand this one. This book mentioned who some bad guys were in previous mysteries, but I doubt it'll spoil those stories even if you memorize their names.

The main characters were likable, interesting, and reacted realistically to events. The high suspense came from the danger of Meg losing her job, her heart dog (Hawk), and maybe even going to jail. Even knowing that no author would actually do this to her main character, it felt like a true danger. I cared about the characters enough that I was tense. Good job! There was also some physical danger from searching in a wilderness area. The SAR dogs tracked down bodies and crime scenes while others on Meg's team researched the suspects so that they could logically sort through the information to discover whodunit.

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

Amish Holiday Vendetta by Laura Scott

Amish Holiday Vendetta
by Laura Scott

ISBN-13: 9781335587398
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Released: November 29th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Attacked in her barn just before Christmas, Amish quilter Elizabeth Walton doesn’t know why someone wants to harm her. But when gunfire narrowly misses Elizabeth and furniture maker David McKay, the Englischer fears his past has put them both in the crosshairs. David’s determined to protect the pretty widow…but is his presence the real danger? Or is there another motive behind the deadly threats?


My Review:
Amish Holiday Vendetta is a Christian romantic suspense. It's the second in a series. These main characters played a role in the previous book, but this story still works as a standalone. This book didn't spoil the previous novel.

David accidently killed a rich, young man and was sent to prison for it. Since getting out, he's lived like the Amish but hasn't become Amish--partly because he feels like what he did was unforgivable. And what if he losses his temper and "sees red" again during a fight? Elizabeth helps him to better understand God's grace and forgiveness. It seems like the bad guys are out for revenge for that death, yet Elizabeth's also attacked and an Amish man has been spotted nearby several times. They try to sort out who is attacking who and why. The suspense came from repeated attacks on David and Elizabeth as well as damage to their property. The main characters were likable and reacted realistically to events. They supported and built each other up.

There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this intriguing 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.

Targeted by Lynette Eason; Lynn H. Blackburn; Natalie Walters

Targeted by Lynette Eason,
Lynn H. Blackburn,
Natalie Walters

ISBN-13: 9780800740283
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Revell
Released: November 1st 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from NetGalley:
In On the Run, IT Specialist Daria Nevsky is a highly skilled FBI agent with the ability to hack any computer. She must go on the run to find out who wants her dead--and Dr. Ryker Donahue refuses to let her do it alone.

In Deadly Objective, physical therapist Emily Dixon and Secret Service Agent Liam Harper are committed to keeping their relationship professional. But when the vice president's son enters the crosshairs of a killer, some lines will have to be crossed in order to keep him safe.

In Caught in the Crosshairs, former Army PSYOPS officer Ari Blackman investigates CIA officer Claudia Gallegos after Claudia is implicated in the murder of a Saudi prince. But to prevent a coup that would put America at risk, they'll have to learn to trust each other--before it's too late.


My Review:
Targeted has three romantic suspense novellas. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable suspense collection.

"On the Run" continues Daria's story. Yay! She has to survive while figuring out why the bad guys are after her. She knows of Ryker, and he helps her. The focus was on the suspense, and the romance was sort of, "oh, and they fell in love." They worked well together, appreciated the other's abilities, and Ryker challenged Daria to accept help from her friends rather than trying to do it all on her own (even as capable as she is).

"Deadly Objective" put two opposites together, yet they worked well together. Liam loves the outdoors; Emily likes high civilization. They both love to read and can deal with the difficult VP's son. When the VP's family is targeted, they take the son on a remote camping trip thinking it might be safer for him. Emily takes it all with a good attitude. Liam see her worth and admires her. They both use their unique abilities to help protect the VP's son. Fun.

"Caught in the Crosshairs" started off with Ari being sent to confirm that Claudia didn't kill the prince since she broke protocol by going to the prince's house. They help solve why the prince asked for her help and who killed him. She's repeatedly attacked by the bad guys, so Ari helps protect her. Claudia's challenged to look past his good-looks and skilled agent reputation and get to know the real man. She's also reluctant to get into a relationship since it'd add more loved ones that can be used against her. But Ari is very good looking and nice... I suppose Ari's interested in her because she didn't immediately fall under his charm?


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.

Passages of Hope by Terri J. Haynes

Passages of Hope
by Terri J. Haynes

ISBN-13: 9781636094069
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Barbour Fiction
Released: November 1st 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Gracie Kingston begins renovations on the Philadelphia house inherited from her grandmother and finds a secret room. It's located near the home of William Still, the man known as the father of the Underground Railroad. As she researches, she discovers a mystery in her house’s ownership. In 1855, Olivia Kingston helps a mother and her young child by hiding them in a secret room in her home. As she helps, she learns that there may be an impostor conductor in their community. As Gracie’s and Olivia’s stories intertwine, they learn the meaning of sacrifice and love.


My Review:
Passages of Hope is a historical set in 1855 in Philadelphia and a romance set in present day. Olivia runs a safe house along the Underground Railroad, and she tries to protect her doctor husband by telling him little about her activities. Something strange is going on, though. Runaway slaves report an unknown conductor helping them, then those runaways disappear. She needs her husband's help (and he's ready to give it) and the help of her friends when one disappearing runaway leaves behind her toddler in Olivia's care. Olivia has a hard time accepting their help, though, and must learn that she can't do it all on her own. This part of the story was suspenseful, and interesting historical details were woven into the story.

In present day, Gracie's her own worst enemy and was so very negative. Frankly, I just got tired of her attitude of "if I try and fail, it'll be a waste of my time, so why try" or "if something good happens, something horrible must be on the way" or "I don't deserve anyone's help." Whenever something bad happened, she headed for her bedroom rather than dealing with the situation. Happily, her upbeat, business-savvy cousin moved into the house with her and pushed her to do what she needed to in order to succeed. Her new boyfriend not only cared about finding out the history of her house but supported Gracie and used his connections to help her.

By the end, Gracie learned that she's loved by friends and family and to accept their love. I would have liked her to realize God's love, too, but God was barely mentioned. There was no sex 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.

Sundown by Susan May Warren

Sundown
by Susan May Warren

ISBN-13: 9780800739843
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Revell
Released: November 1st 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Former Delta Operative Colt Kingston knows when someone is lying. He may not know the truth, but he sure doesn't trust Tae, the woman who is caring for his ailing father at Sky King Ranch. Behind those beautiful blue eyes, he can tell there is a troubled--and smart--woman.

A few of her stories prove true--he's found the crashed plane and the dead body inside. Still, her story of survival seems too incredible to believe...until the thugs she claims to be hunting her show up and threaten Sky King Ranch. Now Tae must disappear, along with her secrets.

But Colt's not about to let her go it alone. And when they discover that her secrets include the antidote to a plague that threatens the world, it'll take all three Kingston brothers to save the country they've vowed to protect.


My Review:
Sundown is a Christian romantic suspense. It's the third book in a series and basically continued the stories of all three brothers, with a focus on Colt. Frankly, this was just a little too close to reality for me to enjoy it. Russian thugs were going to release an ancient strain of smallpox to start a pandemic, and the old smallpox vaccines wouldn't work against it. Tae had developed a promising vaccine, but it hadn't been tested on humans. Now, all of her notes and work have been destroyed. The Russians intend to kill her before she can reproduce it. Colt vowed to protect her, but he's still recovering from his previous injuries so characters from previous novels all get in on saving the world.

Tae was so certain that her vaccine was the only way to save the world that she didn't even consider that other things might get the job done. I understand it's her focus, but it drove me nuts. She knew vaccines usually take years of work and safety studies, but she didn't seem to think they really needed to do that with HER vaccine. She's thinking, 'my one human subject has survived 24 hours without noticeable side effects, so let's get an Emergency Use Authorization and mass vaccinate the whole world!!!!' She just seemed unrealistically, even recklessly confident. The author did somewhat redeem this by having the three brothers and Tae all learn that saving the world didn't depend solely on their abilities.

The suspense stayed high throughout the story as they battled to survive attacks and stop the terrorists. The characters were complex, realistic people, and I cared about what happened to them. They learned to trust God with their future. 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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

These Names Make Clues by E.C.R. Lorac

These Names Make Clues
by E.C.R. Lorac

ISBN-13: 9781728261188
Trade Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Released: November 1st 2022

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Chief Inspector Macdonald has been invited to a treasure hunt party at the house of Graham Coombe, the celebrated publisher. Despite a handful of misgivings, the inspector joins a guestlist of novelists and thriller writers disguised on the night under literary pseudonyms. The fun comes to an abrupt end, however, when 'Samuel Pepys' is found dead in the telephone room in bizarre circumstances. Amidst the confusion of too many fake names, clues, ciphers and convoluted alibis, Macdonald and his allies in the CID must unravel a truly tangled case, which returns to print for the first time since its publication in 1937.


My Review:
These Names Make Clues is a mystery originally published in 1937 and set in England. The detective was likable. The first part was about the clue party, but then the author focused on the investigation by the detective and, independently, by several of the characters. The detective quickly figured out how the murder was done (as did I), but it was difficult to track down who cleaned up the crime scene--in the dark--right after the murder. Then another murder occurred. It appeared that the first victim killed the man, yet the timing wasn't right.

You couldn't trust what the suspects said even when the detective wasn't around. I guessed whodunit near the beginning, but as one of two strong suspects. I didn't stray from those two, but a number of suspects acted very suspiciously and made me wonder if I was correct. Whodunit and how were also guessable for the second death, though there were plenty of misleading clues. The reader got more clues than the detective, and we don't learn how he figured out whodunit until he arrived to confront the killer.

There was a fair amount of bad language. There was no sex. 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 Call of the Sea by Sian Ann Bessey

The Call of the Sea
by Sian Ann Bessey

ISBN-13: 9781524422257
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Released: November 1st 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
On the eve of her betrothal to a nobleman she’s never met, Rhiannon seeks comfort on the shores of the sea she loves so well. But instead of offering peace to her uneasy heart, the ocean heralds doom with the arrival of dreaded Viking ships. A vicious raid leads to the death of her beloved father and leaves Rhiannon’s life in tatters. Heartbroken, she travels to Ynys Môn, where she takes up residence at the royal court of Owain Gwynedd.

Leif loves voyaging on the open water. As the son of a Viking chief, he’s accustomed to his people’s practice of plundering and looting. But when one of his companions ruthlessly kills an old man in front of the man’s beautiful daughter, Leif is haunted by the memory. Desperate to find forgiveness for the atrocity he allowed to occur, he’s offered a chance at redemption through the kindly teachings of an Irish priest and the unexpected arrival of a royal fugitive. Suddenly thrust into the midst of the Cymry’s political turmoil, Leif is reunited with the dead man’s daughter―Rhiannon. Forced to work side by side to uncover the truth behind the turmoil, they come to discover that love can grow from even the most tragic of beginnings. But with such incompatible backgrounds, surely a future together can never be theirs.


My Review:
The Call of the Sea is a historical romance set in 1141 in Wales and Ireland. It's based on some events that really did happen, and the author filled in the details with fictional events and characters. The main characters were engaging, interesting, and reacted realistically to events. I cared about what happened to them. Initially, Rhiannon and Leif were on opposite sides: a Viking under Leif's command killed Rhiannon's father, leaving her without immediate family, a home, or a dowry. Her mother's sister's family took her in, putting her in the middle of political scheming.

A distraught Rhiannon told Leif something like "may God have mercy on you." Leif had always been more interested in sailing than raiding, and this moment haunted him. He talked to an Irish priest to learn about Rhiannon's God, one that has mercy. As a Viking chief's son, though, he's still expected to be useful when someone needed to secretly find out the truth about who killed Rhiannon's cousin's betrothed. When they meet again, Rhiannon must decide if she should forgive this changed Norseman and help him find the truth or expose him as an enemy.

Leif and Rhiannon shared interests and values and supported each other. There were plenty of exciting bits where the good guys were in danger from the bad guys. Leif came to a saving belief in Christ. There was no bad language or sex. Overall, I'd recommend this exciting adventure and slowly-building 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.

A Murder at Balmoral by Chris McGeorge

A Murder at Balmoral
by Chris McGeorge

ISBN-13: 9780593544136
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Released: October 25th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The Crown meets Clue. The royal family has gathered at their Scottish retreat, Balmoral Castle, for a traditional Christmas. As a blizzard gathers outside and a delicious dinner is prepared, the family circles up for a holiday toast. King Eric has something momentous to say--in fact, he is about to name his successor. But as he sips a glass of his favorite whiskey, he drops dead.

The king has been poisoned, someone in the family must have done it, and each one of them had opportunity and motive. Eric's beloved head chef, Jonathan, must now play detective. Why would one of the king's own family members want to kill him? What happens in the castle usually stays in the castle, but this secret might be too big for these battlements. Jon is determined to expose the truth, even if it puts him in a killer's crosshairs--and shakes the entire monarchy to its core.


My Review:
A Murder at Balmoral is a soap opera with a mystery and doesn't have satisfactory ending. The prologue was from the point of view of one of the royal family, and they admitted they had poisoned the whisky. Despite that, I was convinced by 20% that the murder weapon was really That and either Person One or Person Two did it. Way before the end, I'd narrowed those two suspects down to the correct whodunit. Personally, I thought the whole poison-in-the-whisky explanation made no sense (especially why there were so many jars of poison if only one person was intended as a target). The chef--who is logical, but tired, in poor health, and not trained as a detective--investigated who poisoned the whisky and did eventually track down who poisoned it and then what was really going on.

The problem (as least with the Advanced Reader Copy) was that it felt like the author changed some things and forgot to fix it so everything in this twisty soap opera made sense. Because a whole heck of a lot made little sense. It also didn't seem realistic. To use the least spoiler-creating example, they're in the middle of a white-out blizzard. Jon went outside without a coat to chase a suspected killer. It's very deep snow and he's outside a long time, but he doesn't freeze. He never even changed out of his wet clothes. And if he felt his main job was to protect the royal family from harm, why was he running into the snow (and getting lost) rather than going back to the family, leaving the suspected killer out in the deadly snow?

The ending hinted at the future of the characters, but it left things open-ended--this MIGHT happen, but what did they actually do? For example, one character was desperate to escape being crowned monarch even if it meant suicide, yet we never find out if they accept their crown or do escape. Another character died. We're told that the public was informed that person stepped out of public life to focus on running a business. Yet the employees in that person's business would have noticed that he never showed up. Anyway. This book will probably mostly appeal to those who love to follow the lives the royal family (even if this one is fictional). There was some 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.

The Hidden Prince by Tessa Afshar

The Hidden Prince
by Tessa Afshar

ISBN-13: 9781496458223
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Released: November 8th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The beloved daughter of Jewish captives in Babylon, Keren is sold into Daniel’s household to help her family survive. She becomes Daniel’s most trusted scribe, while taking lessons and swordsmanship training alongside Daniel’s sons and their best friend, Jared.

But after a tragic accident changes the course of her life, Keren's sent to a foreign country and charged with a mysterious task: teaching a shepherd boy how to become a noble. When she overhears whispers that hint at his true identity, she recognizes the name from the writings of Hebrew prophets and realizes she must protect him from the schemes of a bloodthirsty king.

Jared struggles to forgive Keren. Still, he finds himself traveling over mountains to fetch her back to the safety of home. When he discovers the secret identity of Keren’s pupil, Jared knows he must help protect him. Love battles bitterness as they flee from the king’s agents, trying to save the boy who could one day deliver their people from captivity.


My Review:
The Hidden Prince is biblical fiction set halfway into the Babylon captivity and is set in Babylon, Media, and Persia. Keren is content assisting Daniel while furthering her education as a scribe. True, she loves her childhood friend, Jared, but her family and position are too humble for him to marry her. Jared cares about her, but when she accidently badly injures him during sword practice, he feels betrayed by her and by God. Now he'll always struggle to do what once came so easily and he's rejected by others as no longer good enough or desirable. So he finds it baffling that God has clearly chosen him and Keren to train and protect Cyrus, the future king that will end the Jewish captivity.

The main characters were complex, likable, and reacted realistically to events. Keren struggled with forgiving herself for what she did to Jared, and Jared struggled with bitterness and confusion about why God would allow his injury yet also prevent it from being even worse. As they worked through these issues, Keren taught the future king and Jared healed. When they came together again, they protected Cyrus from a king who wanted to eliminate a boy he considers a threat.

Jared and Keren learned to trust in God's love and power even when things confused them. There was no bad language or sex scenes. Overall, I'd highly recommend this exciting and engaging historical 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.

Death on a Deadline by Joyce St. Anthony

Death on a Deadline
by Joyce St. Anthony

ISBN-13: 9781639101153
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Crooked Lane
Released: November 8th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
As World War II rages in Europe and the Pacific, the small town of Progress is doing its part for the soldiers in the field with a war bond drive at the annual county fair. Town gossip Ava Dempsey rumors that Clark Gable will be among the participating stars. Instead of Gable, the headliner is Freddie Harrison, a B-movie star. When Freddie turns up dead in the dunk tank, Irene Ingram, editor-in-chief of The Progress Herald, starts chasing the real headline.

There are plenty of suspects and little evidence. Ava’s sister Angel, who was married to the dead actor, is the most obvious. The couple had argued about his affair with the young starlet Belinda Fox, and Angel was the last person known to have seen Freddie alive. Irene discovers there’s more than one person who might have wanted Freddie dead. As Irene draws on her well-honed reporter’s instincts to find the killer, her own deadline could be right around the corner.


My Review:
Death on a Deadline is a mystery set in 1942 in America. This is the second book in a series, but it can be understood without reading the previous novel and didn't spoil the previous mystery.

Irene's been left in charge of her father's newspaper business, and she's good at the job. Historical details about the war, war bonds, and such were woven into the story and created a distinct feel of the times. The mystery was clue-based. Irene decided to investigate the murder, and she kept asking questions until she found the truth. Whodunit was guessable from the clues, though it wasn't really clear until one character led Irene into a trap where the bad guys explained it all. Happily, Irene and friend rescued themselves. Go, girls!

However, Irene was rather rude to her soon-to-be-father-in-law, the police chief. For example, he came to ask her mother about the process of transferring the war bond money to the bank, and before he could fully explain why he's there, Irene was yelling at him saying he was accusing her mother of stealing money. Which he wasn't. She also demanded to be taken to a crime scene even though she had no need to be there. She also had to admit that she'd broken into someone's room and stolen a piece of evidence (which she didn't even give to him). He just shrugged it off. To me, it seemed unrealistic that the police chief was still on such good terms with her by the end.

There was no sex. There were a few uses of bad language (including b--ch). Overall, I'd recommend this historical 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.

A Trace of Poison by Colleen Cambridge

A Trace of Poison
by Colleen Cambridge

ISBN-13: 9781496732477
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Kensington
Released: October 25th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In England’s stately manor houses, murder is not generally a topic for polite conversation. Mallowan Hall, home to Agatha Christie and her husband, Max, is the exception. And housekeeper Phyllida Bright delights in murder mysteries (usually of the fictional kind).

The neighboring village of Listleigh has also become a hub of grisly goings-on, thanks to a Murder Fête organized to benefit a local orphanage. Members of The Detection Club—a group of celebrated authors such as G.K. Chesterton, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Agatha herself—will congregate for charitable events, including a writing contest for aspiring authors. The winner gets an international publishing contract, and entrants have gathered for a cocktail party—managed by the inimitable Phyllida—when murder strikes too close even for her comfort.

It’s a mystery too intriguing for Phyllida to resist, but one fraught with duplicity and danger, for every guest is an expert in murder—and how to get away with it.


My Review:
A Trace of Poison is a mystery set in 1930 in England. This is the 2nd book in the series. You do not need to read the previous novel to understand this one, and this book didn't spoil the mystery of the previous book.

Phyllida has many of the characteristics of Poirot, including a love of order and logic. She's also proud and arrogant. She expected people to praise her for her cleverness. She looked down on the abilities of the police and made sure they knew it while informing them of the things she discovered. Frankly, I'd like these stories better if she was a little less self-righteous, arrogant, and rude. On the other hand, I've been complaining that most mysteries these days are mostly filler, but this one is complex and full of clues and investigation.

Phyllida noticed important details and gathered information from the servant's observations, and she was eventually able to puzzle out whodunit. I guessed whodunit shortly before Phyllida's big reveal, but I'd missed a few clues and didn't get the motivation correct. Historical details were woven into the story without slowing the pacing. There was occasional use of bad language (most of it was British bad language). There were no sex scenes. 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.

Canter with a Killer by Amber Camp

Canter with a Killer
by Amber Camp

ISBN-13: 9781639101801
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Released: Oct. 11, 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Mallory Martin left her marriage and her unfulfilling job to move back to her hometown of Hillspring, Arkansas, and start a horse rescue with paddocks of happy horses and one very quirky donkey. But when her cantankerous neighbor and longtime critic, Albert Cunningham, is found murdered in his fancy show barn, Mallory becomes a suspect. Since she feels that Sheriff Grady Sullivan is ignoring all good sense and focusing only on Mallory, she decides to take matters into her own hands.

Aided by her best friend, Lanie, and rescue volunteer Tanner, Mallory races headlong into the investigation in search of the real killer. But horses and murder aren’t the only thing on her mind when she meets Albert’s handsome son, Braydon. The suspects mount quickly. There’s Albert’s girlfriend, Kathleen, who was on the farm when he was murdered; organic farmer Heather Rogers, who accused Albert of contaminating her creek; and Philip Atwood, who’d been trying for a right-of-way across Albert’s farm.


My Review:
Canter with a Killer is a cozy mystery. Having read hundreds of cozy mysteries, I nominate Mallory as the most annoying, childish main character that I've encountered. She's in her forties but acted like a fifteen-year-old. Her college-age rescue helpers were much more responsible and mature. Mallory occasionally had epiphanies, like realizing that she's been impatient and judgmental. But she always justified her behavior and didn't seem to realize that these were her norm. She had a terrible temper (often aimed at the undeserving), and she felt it was justified because it felt so good to go off on someone. Let's add self-centered to the list. She hated when the police searched her home legally, but then decided to break into the home of one of her suspects and snoop around. It wasn't even clear what she was looking for. She realized she would be breaking the law and even briefly felt bad about going through his closets, file cabinets, and computer, but she justified it as "he might be guilty" and therefore he deserved it. So it's okay for her, but not the cops?

From the beginning, the sheriff assured her that he didn't think her guilty but needed her cooperation to rule her out. Her response was to get a lawyer, investigate on her own, and tell everyone that she's the #1 suspect. Even though the sheriff proved that she wasn't his only or even main suspect, she yelled at him for not considering other suspects. She respected no one and blamed others for believing her the #1 suspect when, hello, she's the main one spreading that rumor.

She had a handful of suspects and looked mostly for motives. She overlooked possible suspects and focused on people she didn't like. She never found out exactly how or when the victim died. She jumped to (wrong) conclusions and acted on them. She was rude to the people who tried to help her. For example, she asked her (rather nice) ex-husband, a lawyer, to help, then blocked his texts because he didn't find her a lawyer fast enough to suit her, then mostly ignored him when he showed up to help. He concluded that she hated him, and she's shocked that he could think that. Really?! Anyway, the author made the clues very, very "look at that!" obvious, so I had whodunit figured out as soon as we met whodunit. I identified the clue that would solve the case way back at the beginning of the story. So no puzzle to distract from Mallory's appalling behavior.

Finally, I live in the very area that "Hillspring" is fictionally located. I've never met such friendly, polite, nice people anywhere else I've lived, but this book makes us seem like bitter, mean, backbiting people out to sue all of our neighbors. Plus, it's unrealistic that a larger town like Hillspring only had one feed/hardware store and one lawyer. A little town near me has 2 feed stores and 1 hardware store just on the main street through town. It's also very safe in this area. People are extremely unlikely to point a shotgun at you, especially if the public is welcomed on their land. Being a cozy mystery meant Cabot Cove had hundreds of murders, but it still came across as a nice town. Yet this author's Hillspring makes it sound like you should do everything you can to avoid the area.

There was occasional use of bad language. There were no sex scenes. Everyone forgave Mallory's behavior at the end and told her that she's so clever. That's pure 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.

A Twist of Murder by Heather Redmond

A Twist of Murder
by Heather Redmond

ISBN-13: 9781496737977
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Kensington
Released: October 25th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Harrow-on-the-Hill, March 1836: In a sense, orphans Ollie, John, and Arthur have always been treasure hunters. The mudlarks have gone from a hardscrabble life scavenging the banks of the Thames for bits and bobs to becoming students at a boarding school outside of London, thanks to the kind and generous intercession of Charles Dickens. But now they’re missing—as is a treasure map. When Charles arrives at the school, he’s hit with another twist—the servant girl who was allegedly in possession of the map has been strangled in the icehouse. Unbeknownst to them on their spirited adventure, his young friends may be in mortal danger. Now Charles and his fiancée Kate Hogarth, who has come to join him in the search for the runaways.


My Review:
A Twist of Murder is a mystery set in 1836 in England. It's the fifth in a series. You don't need to read the previous book to understand this one, and this book didn't spoil the previous mysteries. Vivid historical and setting details were woven into the story, creating a distinct sense of the time and place. The author tried to stay true to what is known about Charles Dickens' career and lifestyle in his early twenties. The main characters were likable and acted realistically.

There really wasn't much of a mystery since much of the focus was on solving the treasure map rather than solving the murder. The mystery wasn't the location of the missing boys (which was soon discovered) but who killed the maid, the cousin of Charles' friend, William. They investigated enough to determine a handful of suspects, then simply waited until whodunit voluntarily confessed. Ironically, someone even told them what was at the end of the treasure map, but they didn't pay any attention (like, question him about it). Much of the story was the treasure hunt and a cholera outbreak (full of gross details), which added suspense.

There was one use of British bad language. There was no sex. Overall, I'll probably keep on reading the series because of the vivid, accurate historical details, so I'd recommend this book to fans of historicals.


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 Danger with Diamonds by Traci Hunter Abramson, Sian Ann Bessey

The Danger with Diamonds
by Traci Hunter Abramson,
Sian Ann Bessey

ISBN-13: 9781524421205
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Released: October 10th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
When Lars Hendriks arranges to meet Marit Jansen in Vienna, he is hoping their friendship will blossom into romance. What he doesn’t expect is a surprise visit from his cousin Cole or the loose diamonds he brings with him.

As a CIA operative, Cole Bridger is used to uncertainty, but when his work takes him back to Vienna, he looks forward to reconnecting with Isabelle Roberts, the fellow agent he dated briefly before duty took him away from Austria. Unfortunately, his silence over the last few months has created a chasm he can’t cross without help. He barely takes a step toward repairing the damaged relationship when a brazen jewel heist seemingly linked to Cole, Lars, Marit, and Isabelle. The group is drawn into a deadly mystery, and once again, the treasures of Falcon Point are threatened. It doesn’t take long for them to realize they have stumbled upon something far bigger and more dangerous than a simple robbery. And someone on the inside knows it.


My Review:
The Danger with Diamonds is a romantic suspense that occurs after the events in "Heirs of Falcon Point." You don't need to read that book to understand this one, but, frankly, I think it was the better book. The viewpoint just seemed distant in this story, like we're watching a movie with a narrator rather than inside someone's head.

I liked the romance between Lars and Marit. They weren't communicating quite so much after life took them to different places and they got busy with their jobs. However, Lars set up a get together during a break. Once they cleared up that both wanted to pursue a romantic relationship, Marit quickly forgave Lars and they enjoyed being together.

Cole likes a challenge which may be the main reason behind his continued pursuit of Isabelle. Granted, she had reason to think things were over between them after months of no contact with him, but it's all about her hurt feelings. There's no friendly "hey, glad to see you're still alive and doing well" when they meet again but "What, you're not even here to see me?!"

Cole and Isabelle worked together well enough as CIA agents, but Cole could do nothing right on the romantic front. She didn't easily forgive past hurts and wasn't interested in the reasons why he had neglected her. Likely, this is how their relationship will always be: him working hard to beg forgiveness for unintended hurts (which he already resents) and her reluctant to forgive him. She should know that her desire to be the main focus of a man's attention is doomed with a CIA agent who travels a lot, especially one who has just been reunited with long-lost cousins.

There was plenty of suspense as people keep attacking Cole (and those helping him) as he investigated a case. 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.

Abduction Cold Case by Connie Queen

Abduction Cold Case
by Connie Queen

ISBN-13: 9781335587374
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Released: October 25th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Finding a mysterious file on her desk sends psychologist Kennedy Wells chasing down clues to solve a twenty-six-year-old kidnapping—and straight into a violent assault. When Texas Ranger Silas Boone comes to Kennedy’s rescue, he can’t help but wonder at her resemblance to the long-missing girl. With someone willing to kill to end the investigation, can they uncover the truth?


My Review:
Abduction Cold Case is a romantic suspense novel. Kennedy had loving parents, though they did keep her a bit isolated as a child. She's shocked when Texas Ranger Silas suggests she might be the missing girl in the cold case she's working on. He witnessed the kidnapping all those years ago and comes to the rescue when her scheduled interview with the mother of the missing child turns into an assault that leaves the woman in critical condition. Why did someone send Kennedy the file and who will kill to prevent her from discovering the truth behind the kidnapping?

The main characters were likable and reacted realistically to events. Kennedy and Silas worked well together and respected each other. They came to care for each other as they spent time together. They asked questions and followed up on leads and while trying to stay alive. The suspense came from repeated attacks on Kennedy and those who knew information or continued to investigate the case. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable romantic suspense.


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 Secrets of Emberwild by Stephenia H. McGee

The Secrets of Emberwild
by Stephenia H. McGee

ISBN-13: 9780800740238
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Revell
Released: October 4, 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Nora Fenton desires to be a Standardbred horse trainer in a time women are not allowed to race. She distrusts men, who constantly stand in the way of the things she wants. After her father's passing, Nora is determined to save her struggling horse farm, starting with entering her prize colt into the harness races at the 1905 Mississippi Fair. If she wins, she may have a chance at independence. But when a stranger arrives and starts asking disconcerting questions, she suspects he may have other motives than the training job that is rightfully hers.

Silas Cavallero will do whatever it takes to solve the mystery of his father's death--even if it means training an unwieldy colt for Nora, who wants nothing more than to see him gone. But when mysterious accidents threaten their safety and circumstances shrouded in secrets begin unlocking clues to his past, Silas will have to decide if the truth is worth risking ruining everything for the feisty woman he's come to admire.


My Review:
The Secrets of Emberwild is a romance set in 1905 in Mississippi. Silas was a skilled trainer and understood horse behavior. Despite growing up around horses, Nora was very ignorant about basic horse safety and was trying to train her first horse by learning from a book. Worse, the first horse that she wanted to train was a young stallion, which aren't easy to train because they're more unpredictable and prone to challenge you for dominance. The author showed all of this, but I just couldn't get passed Nora saying foolish things like the stallion would never hurt her. Especially as she often said this after the horse came very close to hurting her.

Silas saw the danger and kept saving her from harm. Nora didn't listen very well and had unrealistic expectations, so maybe she had been told horse and barn safety but thought she knew better than the despised men who kept trying to tell her what to do. She had no respect for men until Silas took the time to listen to her, explain why he did things, and tried to include her in safe ways. As an employee, Silas was respectful to the family, including Nora, so tried to gain her cooperation. He did his best to support Nora's ambitions even though she stubbornly took foolish risks that not only endangered her but the horse and others. I understand why she liked him, but I don't understand why he was attracted to her except maybe he liked that she suddenly kissed him.

There was no sex or bad language. While I appreciate that the author knows horses and worked that into the story, I just didn't like Nora and didn't feel like she grew up even if her skills increased.


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.

Mystery in Provence by Vivian Conroy

Mystery in Provence
by Vivian Conroy

ISBN-13: 9780008549244
ebook: 314 pages
Publisher: One More Chapter
Released: October 7th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Fresh from teaching at her prestigious Swiss boarding school, Miss Atalanta Ashford suddenly finds herself the most eligible young lady in society when she inherits her grandfather’s substantial fortune. But with this fortune – and an elegant new Parisian home – comes a legacy passed down from grandfather to granddaughter… sleuthing discreetly for Europe’s elite.

This amateur detective isn’t one to back down from a challenge and Miss Ashford must depend on her sharp wit and charm to solve her first case, which takes her to the lush lavender fields of Provence and a wedding at the mansion of the Comte de Surmonne.

Now, as murder strikes twice, Atalanta will have to race to solve the case to stop the blushing bride from facing a fatal ‘I do’.


My Review:
Mystery in Provence is a mystery set in 1930 in France. The main characters were likable and interesting. Atalanta always liked problem solving but now she's learning how to solve mysteries. Her grandfather left her advice on sleuthing and some staff that helps dig up information about suspects. Atalanta tried to subtly ask questions and uncover information as she was undercover. This was a clue-based mystery that could be guessed before the end. There's so much information and deception that I felt the author could have chosen between several of the suspects and made them fit the clues in the big reveal, but whodunit did seem the most likely. There was no sex or bad language. 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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

The Belle of Belgrave Square by Mimi Matthews

The Belle of Belgrave Square
by Mimi Matthews

ISBN-13: 9780593337158
Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Released: October 11th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Tall, dark, and dour, the notorious Captain Jasper Blunt is hailed a military hero, but tales abound of his bastard children and his haunted estate in Yorkshire. What he requires now is a rich wife to help finance the repairs to his isolated ruin, and he has his sights set on the enchanting Julia Wychwood.

For Julia, an incurable romantic cursed with a crippling social anxiety, navigating a London ballroom is absolute torture. The only time Julia feels any degree of confidence is when she’s on her horse. Unfortunately, a young lady can’t spend the whole of her life in the saddle. Her parents' choice for her future husband is much worse than Jasper, so Julia makes an impetuous decision to take her future by the reins—she proposes to Captain Blunt.

In exchange for her dowry and her hand, Jasper must promise to grant her freedom to do as she pleases. To ride—and to read—as much as she likes without masculine interference. He readily agrees to her conditions, with one provision of his own: Julia is forbidden from going into the tower rooms of his estate and snooping around his affairs. But the more she learns of her thoughtful husband, the more she realizes the many secrets that he's been hiding.


My Review:
The Belle of Belgrave Square is a romance set in 1862. This is the second book in a series, but it can be read as a standalone. Since we get both Julia's and Jasper's viewpoints, we have hints about Jasper's secrets but they come as a shock to Julia. She actually handled them quite well, disappointed at his lack of trust in her but willing to listen to why he acted as he did and not just reject him out of anger. Jasper was very supportive of her, valuing her and willing to sacrifice on her behalf. His support built her up so that she had the courage to stand up to those who had belittled her in the past.

The characters were complex and reacted realistically to events. I cared about what happened to them. The author deeply researched the time period and wove this information into the story, creating a distinct sense of time and place without slowing the pacing. There was a brief (married) sex scene, but the focus was on her emtoions rather than graphicly describing the physical part. There were some uses of bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this story, especially if you enjoy accurate historical aspects in your fiction.


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.

Within These Gilded Halls by Abigail Wilson

Within These Gilded Halls
by Abigail Wilson

ISBN-13: 9780785253303
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Released: October 4th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
After studying art for two years under Miss Drake, a renowned painter, Phoebe Radcliff is thrilled when Miss Drake employs her to complete a complicated ballroom renovation. Everything changes when Miss Drake is murdered. With her last breath she imparts the location of a clue to Phoebe. Can the rumored treasure of Avonthorpe Hall be real? Phoebe is tasked to finish the detailed trim work in the ballroom by Miss Drake’s infuriatingly regimented yet all-too-handsome nephew, Lt. Graham Burke. She's determined to fulfill her promise to find the treasure but must do so before Lt. Burke leases the house.

Phoebe soon realizes she’s not the only person with knowledge of the clues—and she’ll need Lt. Burke’s help to stay ahead of whoever is hard on her heels. If only she wasn’t so attracted to the gentleman. She’s always had far greater plans for her life than an uncomfortable romance with a former military lieutenant. Caught up in a deadly race for answers, Phoebe must find a way to breach the shroud of lies that surrounds every last resident in the house and, more importantly, face a past she’s been running away from for far too long.


My Review:
Within These Gilded Halls is a romance set in 1819 in England. The author used a noticeable number of incorrect words (like several times people were referred to as "lifeless" when those people were still alive) and odd phrases (like "she tethered her lip between her teeth" yet "tether" usually means to tie something up). I found these distracting.

The main characters were interesting enough but weren't very well developed. The focus was more on the clues for the treasure hunt and figuring out who's trying to get the treasure ahead of them. They didn't really try to uncover who killed Miss Drake, either, just get the treasure so they could save the Hall. I felt like a good bit of what was going on was pretty obvious from the hints dropped here and there, but they came as a surprise to Phoebe when she finally worked it all out in the end. Phoebe and Graham worked well together, and their friendship (and attraction) grew as they spent time hunting the treasure together. There was no sex or bad language. I guess I'd recommend this book to fans of treasure hunts.


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 Plot and the Pendulum by Jenn McKinlay

The Plot and the Pendulum
by Jenn McKinlay

ISBN-13: 9780593101803
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Released: October 11, 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Library director Lindsey Norris is happy to learn the Briar Creek Public Library is the beneficiary of the Dorchester family’s vast book collection. However, when Lindsey and the library staff arrive at the old Victorian estate to gather the books, things take a sinister turn. One of the bookcases reveals a secret passage, leading to a room where a skeleton is found next to an old copy of The Collected Works of Edgar Allan Poe.

Using the distinctive 80s era clothing worn by the deceased to determine a time frame, Lindsey discovers that Briar Creek has an unsolved missing person’s case from 1989. A runaway bride went missing just weeks after her wedding. No suspects were ever arrested and the cold case remains unsolved. Lindsey and the crafternoon crew decide that justice is overdue and set about solving the old murder mystery.


My Review:
The Plot and the Pendulum is a cozy mystery. It's the 13th in a series. You don't need to read the previous books to understand this one, and this book didn't spoil the whodunits of the previous mysteries.

The main characters were likable and interesting. Lindsey asked good questions and kept an eye out to spot clues. This was a clue-based mystery that can be guessed before the end. I guessed "whodunit" correctly yet was only partly right about how the murder occurred as we only had hints about how that happened. So probably not fully guessable until the final clue and confession. There were no sex scenes. There were only a few uses of bad language. 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.

Under the Starry Skies by Tracie Peterson

Under the Starry Skies
by Tracie Peterson

ISBN-13: 9780764237355
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Bethany House
Released: October 4th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Sensible and independent, Cassandra Barton never anticipated being on her own at thirty-two. But after the death of her father and the marriage of her sister, she's found joy in her work as a seamstress. When a minor accident leaves her incapacitated, she decides to use her time to compile a book of stories about the men working on the Santa Fe Railroad. But worry begins to grow in San Marcial as Mexican revolutionaries set out to destroy the railroad--and put many lives in danger.

With Europe at war and his longtime friend Cassie injured, railroad worker Brandon Dubarko is burdened by his troubles. And when a vengeful man reappears in Brandon's life intent on causing conflict, Brandon must face his past before he can move forward. As the danger intensifies, Cassie and Brandon must rely on their faith to overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of a brighter future.


My Review:
Under the Starry Skies is a Christian romance set in 1916 in New Mexico. Historical details were woven into the story which gave it a feeling of a distinct time and place. The main characters were likable, complex, and reacted realistically to events.

Cassie was a sweet lady who encouraged others, but her younger sister wanted nothing to do with her after being sent away by their father when she was young. Brandon had an abusive father and left home shortly after he died, burdened with guilt. He encouraged Cassie and helped look after her since her family was dead or estranged. Even though they cared for each other, Brandon didn't want to get married due to his guilt and felt he needed to bear the consequences of his past actions.

The Christian element was about how God can forgive actions that people might think are unforgivable and how God can bring about reconciliation. There was no sex or 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.

Concrete Evidence by DiAnn Mills

Concrete Evidence
by DiAnn Mills

ISBN-13: 9781496451903
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House
Released: October 4th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
On the family's Brazos River Ranch in Texas, Avery Elliott helps run her grandfather's commercial construction business. Raised by Senator Elliott, Avery has never doubted her grandfather is the man of integrity and faith she's always believed him to be . . . until the day she finds him standing with a gun over the body of a dead man. To make matters worse, Avery's just discovered a billing discrepancy for materials supposedly purchased for construction of the Lago de Cobre Dam.

Desperate for answers, Avery contacts FBI Special Agent Marc Wilkins for help. As Marc works to identify the dead man Avery saw, threats toward Avery create a fresh sense of urgency to pinpoint why someone wants to silence her. With a hurricane approaching the Texas coast and the structural integrity of the Lago de Cobre Dam called into question, time is running out to get to the bottom of a sinister plot that could be endangering the lives of not only Avery and her loved ones but the entire community.


My Review:
Concrete Evidence is a Christian romantic suspense. Some parts of this story were unrealistic and others were never satisfactorily explained. So much about horses was wrong. I shook my head in disbelief when Avery, an expert rider, took her minimally trained, hard-to-control stallion out to round up livestock during a crisis instead of a steady, dependable horse. She then rode him to the rescue, shooting her gun from the back of a moving horse, using her non-dominate hand, and still hit a small, distant target. The horse didn't startle even though you have to train a horse to get used to a sudden, loud noise coming from right behind their head. Also, shooting from horseback is very different from and harder than standing still on the ground while shooting at an unmoving target.

While I enjoyed that the heroine rescued the hero, this came at the expense of the hero being incredibly dumb. He knew who the killer was. He saw that the person had a hidden gun. He didn't call/text for backup. He didn't put off the confrontation and arrange for a safe arrest later. No, he confronted the killer and immediately gave up when the killer pulled the gun, like he hadn't expected that response. Sigh.

On to the unexplained: The bad person wanted something and stated Avery knew what it was, but no one did. No one tried to figure it out, either. It turned out to be a digital file, yet the killer acted like there was only the one copy of it. And it's not like that was the only evidence against the killer. Also, the first video of the dam inspection wasn't fake, so how did no one notice the foundation was flawed or that it was the same video in the second inspection? Surely multiple people viewed the thing. Surely several different people carried out independent inspections of the foundation before the rest of the dam was built, etc.

Avery and Marc were both nice people, but they didn't share any interests and didn't always get along. For example, she left the ranch knowing she was going to a person who was a suspected killer. She delayed telling Marc because she didn't want to be stopped. She found evidence and called Marc. He told her to get away from the place until they got there. She refused just to be ornery. Um, to protect evidence that didn't need protecting. Marc wanted to wring her neck. Yet he kept thinking about what a good team they made? Well, about her lips, at least. It seemed like they wanted to get married so they could freely kiss (and more). Marc and Avery both just assumed that she'd go live with him and live at his paygrade even though she's rich. I'd have preferred they discussed it beyond a few sentences, summarized: 'You'll have to give up living wealthy!' which was met with 'No problem' rather than 'Why?'

The constant danger was suspenseful. The mystery was both complex and oddly easy to solve. (I was sure whodunit was a certain person. Avery was certain it wasn't him, even though all evidence pointed toward him, so I said, 'if not him, then that person.' I was right.) The characters were likable. So it's not a bad story, but more...exasperating. 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.