Evil in Emerald by A.M. Stuart

Evil in Emerald
by A.M. Stuart

ISBN-13: 9780593335482
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Berkley Books
Released: March 29th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Between working at her brother’s school and typing up Inspector Robert Curran’s police reports, Harriet Gordon has little time for personal pursuits and she has been enjoying the rehearsals for her role in the Singapore Amateur Dramatic and Musical Society’s latest production – Pirates of Penzance. But Harriet quickly discovers tensions run deep within the theatre company and when the leading man is found murdered, suspicions abound, exposing scandalous behavior as well as some insidious crimes.

Inspector Curran once again turns to Harriet for help with this difficult case, but his own life begins to unravel as a mysterious man turns up on his doorstep claiming to know more about Curran’s painful past than he himself does. And after the one person he has always counted on delivers him some devastating news, the line between his personal and professional life begins to blur. Now, more than ever, Curran needs Harriet’s steadfast assistance, and when another cast member meets a violent end, Curran and Harriet will have to close in on a killer determined to make this case their final curtain call.


My Review:
Evil in Emerald is a mystery set in 1910 in Singapore. This book is the third book in a series, but you don't need to read the previous books to follow this story and this story didn't spoil the previous mysteries.

The detective asked good questions, looked carefully for evidence, and was able to connect the clues well. Harriet knew many of the suspects because they were working together on the play, so she was able to learn some additional information that helped solve the case. She's also observant and intelligent. Several people had a strong motive, so I wasn't completely sure of whodunit until the very end, but I strongly suspected whodunit over the others based on the clues.

The main characters were complex, interesting people. I cared about what happened to them, and they reacted realistically to events. The historical and setting details were woven into the story without slowing the pacing. These details brought the story alive in my imagination. There were no sex scenes. There was a fair amount of bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this interesting 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.

Malicious Intent by Lynn H. Blackburn

Malicious Intent
by Lynn H. Blackburn

ISBN-13: 9780800737962
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Revell
Released: March 1st 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Dr. Ivy Collins, founder and CEO of Hedera, Inc., is ready to begin clinical trials of her company's cutting-edge prosthetic. But someone is trying to break into Hedera's computer systems, but to what purpose--and how far will they go to get what they want?

Meanwhile, U.S. Secret Service Agent Gil Dixon can't believe he's finally been reunited with Ivy, his childhood best friend. Now that he's found her again, Gil intends to spend the rest of his life with her. But it will take all his skill to uncover the truth in time to save Ivy's life's work, her own life, and the innocent lives caught in the crossfire.


My Review:
Malicious Intent is a Christian romantic suspense novel. It's the second in a series, but it works as a stand alone. I liked the first part of the story, but it started to break down for me near the end. The bad guy started off by having lackeys torture Ivy for the password to her computer system so he could steal something (rather than asking her to give them what he ultimately wanted). As time passed, either the author or the bad guy forgot his original plan. Now he wanted to get past her computer security system to download a program that would deny her access to her files unless she paid a ransom. To force her to do this, he kidnaped someone. Rather than just demand the money directly in return for the hostage, he still wanted her to download the ransomware instead. Hm.

Ivy was smart and resilient. Gil was a caring and considerate guy. He made her food, provided physical protection and emotional support, and apologized when Ivy got upset with him for doing his job. I think she was upset that she needed protection. Gil was just doing what she'd been okay with before: planning a way to keep her safe while also keeping her protectors' safe. Gil even made sure she had a gun to protect herself and listened to her concerns, but she kept asserting her independence in unhelpful ways. Like one of Gil's main suspects wanted to meet with her alone in her office, and she did so because she couldn't believe that any of the suspects would harm her. Right or wrong, this expressed her doubts about Gil's judgement and abilities in a way that hurt Gil.

Ivy was ashamed of how her mother wronged Gil's family. Ivy had to accept that he'd really already forgiven her. There was no sex or bad language. The torture was clinically described by Ivy to the police and was somewhat graphic but not in an intense, gory way.


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.

Along the Rio Grande by Tracie Peterson

Along the Rio Grande
by Tracie Peterson

ISBN-13: 9780764237294
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Bethany House
Released: March 1st 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Recently widowed Susanna Jenkins has decided to follow her family to the booming town of San Marcial, New Mexico, for a fresh start and to aid in her family's sudden change in fortune. They are tasked with managing her uncle's new Grand Hotel, and it takes all her patience to try to help her parents see the good of their circumstances and relinquish their sense of entitlement.

Owen Turner works as a boilermaker for the Santa Fe's train shops in San Marcial. He's immediately attracted to Susanna upon meeting her, but he hesitates to risk opening his heart again. Especially as painful memories are stirred up of his own late sibling when Susanna's brother is assigned to work under him.

When misguided choices put Susanna's family in an even more precarious situation. But if Owen can't face the past, he'll miss out on his greatest chance at love.


My Review:
Along the Rio Grande is a Christian romance set in 1899 in New Mexico. Susanna's father is addicted to gambling and high risk investments, but he has poor judgment and lost his fortune. Her mother gets her way by throwing temper tantrums. Her brother resents their father and wants to earn his own way rather than work at the hotel they're supposed to run. Susanna has money of her own, but she sweetly does the hard labor at the hotel and makes new friends. She struggles to stand up to her mother's whining and so enables her parents to resist learning that they're not entitled to money and respect. Owen helps her brother find a job he's good at and helps her look beyond her parent's expectations that she support them.

Owen and Susanna respected and built each other up. They're kind, hard-working people. Together, they grew beyond the emotional legacies passed down to them by their families. Historical details about the job, place, and people were woven into the story, bringing it alive in my imagination. Susanna prayed that God would cause her parents to see the truth about themselves and their situation (and He did through a series of events that forced them to take a hard look at their behavior). There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting historical with an 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.

Her Easter Prayer by Lee Tobin McClain

Her Easter Prayer
by Lee Tobin McClain

ISBN-13: 9781335759177
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired
Released: March 29th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
After a tragic loss, reading teacher Emily Carver dedicates her life to educating troubled boys with the help of service dog Lady. Tutoring new school handyman Dev McCarthy’s struggling son reminds Emily of everything she’s missing. Time spent with them could heal her heart—only, Dev has a secret. Can she see past what he’s hiding and forgive herself?


My Review:
Her Easter Prayer is a Christian romance. Emily's in-laws blame her for taking a break for a night out with friends. She returned to her house on fire, her husband and baby dead, and was barely able to rescue her own mother. The grief and guilt were so terrible that she needed an emotional support service dog. She also uses the dog to help boys at the troubled boys school where she works. (The dog simply cuddles with anyone who's upset, so don't expect much about service dogs.) Both Dev and his son have trouble reading, so he hires Emily to tutor his son while he hides his own difficulties. They grow closer as they spend time together.

Dev was much more thoughtful and kind than her dead husband, so Emily's attracted to him. Dev tended to make quick, condemning judgements of others then apologized when he realized he's wrong. He once did this when Emily really needed support, not someone else condemning her for something that's not really her fault. Emily took him back, though, because he apologized and no one's perfect. While Dev realized that he held a double standard and that he jumped to conclusions without all of the needed information, I wish his pastor cousin had pointed him toward letting God change this tendency. Ah, well.

Emily made progress at forgiving herself as God forgave her. 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.

Danger Unknown by Kathi Oram Peterson

Danger Unknown
by Kathi Oram Peterson

ISBN-13: 9781524419691
Paperback: 264 pages
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Released: March 1st 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The small desert town seemed like the perfect place to disappear—until Brooke Steward’s worst nightmare walks into the diner where she works. The man who murdered her husband has found her—again. Desperate to protect her young daughter, Brooke has no choice but to run for their lives.

Awakened by a haunting nightmare that has plagued him for years, Michael Calder is startled by a knock at the door of his remote Montana ranch. He is even more shocked when he finds a disheveled child on his steps, who silently leads him to her injured mother. In making the split-second decision to bring Brooke and her daughter into his home, Michael is unwittingly drawn with them into the path of danger. In their quest to survive, Brooke and Michael come to trust each other completely, their relationship deepening into something more. But even as the lines between friendship and love blur, the explosive secrets of the past are finally revealed.


My Review:
Danger Unknown is a romantic suspense. The main characters were interesting, likable, and reacted realistically to events. The mild suspense came from danger to Brooke and her daughter. A corrupt detective was hunting them, and they were barely keeping ahead of him (until the end). Brooke knew who had hired the assassin, but she had no proof and didn't know how to get it. She strongly didn't trust anyone in law enforcement because she didn't feel like they'd believe her. Michael and his friends not only protected her and her daughter but helped her to stop running and get the needed proof. Michael and Brooke generally worked well together and came to care for each other as they spent time together.

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

Under Lock & Skeleton Key by Gigi Pandian

Under Lock & Skeleton Key
by Gigi Pandian

ISBN-13: 9781250804983
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Released: March 15th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
After a disastrous accident derails Tempest Raj’s career, and life, she heads back to her childhood home in California to comfort herself with her grandfather’s Indian home-cooked meals and working for her father’s company. Secret Staircase Construction specializes in bringing the magic of childhood to all by transforming clients’ homes with sliding bookcases, intricate locks, backyard treehouses, and hidden reading nooks.

When Tempest visits her dad’s latest renovation project, her former stage double is discovered dead inside a wall that’s supposedly been sealed for more than a century. Fearing she was the intended victim, it’s up to Tempest to solve this seemingly impossible crime. But as she delves further into the mystery, Tempest can’t help but wonder if the Raj family curse that’s plagued her family for generations—something she used to swear didn’t exist—has finally come for her.


My Review:
Under Lock & Skeleton Key is a cozy mystery. This is not a "how are the tricks done" story as only two magic tricks were explained. Usually it was "she made the cards disappear" or "she pulled the book and the bookshelf door opened." I didn't expect a magic instruction book, but it turns out that being told a trick had been done had less appeal than actually seeing it done. The story was as much about backstory as the current mystery. The author destroyed the suspense several times by things like having a body fall out of a wall, then spending pages describing the background of everyone on her dad's crew (which had nothing to do with the body). Or being shocked to learn who the dead person was only to spend a chapter explaining the family curse to the reader rather than showing her reaction.

Tempest was a nice, talented gal who was willing to apologize to save a friendship. The mystery was guessable from the clues. I was distracted by false clues in the beginning, but so was everyone else. Once Tempest's charm bracelet was stolen, it was easy for me to figure out who took it and, from there, to see further connections in the mystery. While I did guess whodunit before the reveal and some of why, the mystery was complex enough to kept me guessing about various elements until the confession.

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

Detection Detail by Terri Reed

Detection Detail
by Terri Reed

ISBN-13: 9781335554918
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Released: March 29th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Evidence at a fiery car crash leads K-9 officer Nelson Rivers and his accelerant-detection dog, Diesel, to Mia Turner—a woman previously accused of arson. But when a gunman targets Mia during their first meeting, Nelson suspects she might actually be innocent. Only Mia’s hiding something, and Nelson’s been burned before. Can they trust each other to catch a killer…before the threat engulfs them both?


My Review:
Detection Detail is a romantic suspense novel. It's a start of a new series and brings up other mysteries to be solved (like the burned car) as well as the mystery that was solved in this book. Mia's determined to prove her friend innocent of arson and free her from prison, but she can't seem to make any progress. Just as Nelson drops by to question her about her hair being found at a crime scene, someone attacks her--a rival who wants her to close her business, or someone worried she might find that proof?

The suspense was created by repeated attacks on Mia, including a few attempts thwarted by the accelerant-detection dog. The main characters were likable and reacted realistically to events. Mia and Nelson worked together to solve who really set the long-ago fire while Nelson helped keep Mia alive. 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.

Enchanting the Heiress by Kristi Ann Hunter

Enchanting the Heiress
by Kristi Ann Hunter

ISBN-13: 9780764235276
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Bethany House
Released: March 1st 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Harriet Hancock likes to make the lives of those around her better without them having to ask for help. Her friend Sophia Whitworth has ideas of her own on how to make life more fulfilling for Jonas Fitzroy, her brother and stable hand. Sophia asks Harriet to be his patron so he can deleop his artistic talent. When Harriet discovers his natural way with words, she hatches a plan that would benefit them both.

Holding a grudge against Harriet for her meddling in Sophia's life, it is only because of his sister that Jonas agrees to approach Harriet about a possible artistic project. What he doesn't expect is for her to request his help writing a book. As they work together, they start to see each other in a different light. But when the truth of Harriet's schemes is revealed, she'll find her good intentions for once have gone too far.


My Review:
Enchanting the Heiress is a Christian historical romance set in 1818 in Newmarket, England. It's the third book in the series. You don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one, though characters from her previous novels do appear in this story.

Harriet likes helping people, and she tries to do it in a way that doesn't insult or obligate the helped person. Her friend Sophia asks Harriet to encourage her brother's artistic talent only after she'd already told her brother that was Harriet's intent. Jonas avoids relationships because they require effort and risk. He only helped others (caring for a sick groom's horses) if he benefited (as it's a way to keep busy). The only way to justify his lack of care for others was to judge Harriet for "meddling." He heavily criticized her efforts to help others throughout the story, not suggesting better ways to help but saying she needed to leave people completely alone. I didn't like how Jonas was self-righteous, assumed the worst about Harriet, and tore Harriet down all while she kept trying to build up his confidence in his artistic skills.

Harriet was pressured by her father to travel the world like her mother and grandmother dreamed of but never did. She hates traveling, but her father made it clear that he expected her to travel anyway. So she's lying to him, sending him letters about her made up travels in hopes he'll eventually be satisfied. Obviously, this deception comes to light and she has to repair several relationships. I liked how she learned from her mistakes and kept reaching out to people rather than giving up. Jonas might help her appreciate the small joys in life, but she deserved a man that shared more of her interests and fully appreciated her. While Jonas did change his attitude enough that he's not mean to her, they still seemed very mismatched to me.

Jonas liked to memorize Bible verses but tended to quote them out of context. He realized that he'd started using them as weapons and ought not do that. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting 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.

Front Page Murder by Joyce St. Anthony

Front Page Murder
by Joyce St. Anthony

ISBN-13: 9781643858982
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Released: March 8th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Irene Ingram has written for her father’s newspaper, the Progress Herald, ever since she could grasp a pencil. Now she’s editor in chief, which doesn’t sit well with the men in the newsroom. But proving her journalistic bona fides is the least of Irene’s worries when crime reporter Moe Bauer, on the heels of a hot tip, turns up dead at the foot of his cellar stairs.

An accident? That’s what Police Chief Walt Turner thinks, and Irene is inclined to agree until she finds the note Moe discreetly left her. He was on to a big story, but what was it? She’d assigned him to cover a hate message left the Jewish owners at Markowicz Hardware. Tenacious Irene senses there’s more to the Markowicz story, which she is all but certain led to Moe’s murder. When she’s not filling up column inches with the usual small-town fare—locals in uniform, victory gardens, and scrap drives—she and her best friend, scrappy secretary Peggy Reardon, search for clues. If they can find the killer, it’ll be a scoop to stop the presses.


My Review:
Front Page Murder is a mystery set in 1942 in America. Irene's been left in charge of her father's newspaper business, and she knows how to do the job. However, the male employees don't like the change, so part of the story was how she handled them and others who questioned her right to the position. Historical details about the war, rationing, scrap drives, and such were woven into the story as events that her paper reported on. These details provided a distinct feel of the times.

In addition to reporting the news, Irene investigated what Moe's big story was about and uncovered a plot. She kept asking questions and looking around until she found the truth. At the end, though, she's "oh, I can't believe I didn't see it soon...that person is the leader!" and I'm going, "Um, all the clues actually point toward Whodunit." I was right. But, hey, this was her first stab at detective work.

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

The Spark of Love by Amanda Cabot

The Spark of Love
by Amanda Cabot

ISBN-13: 9780800735371
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Revell
Released: March 1st 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
When a spurned suitor threatens her, heiress Alexandra Tarkington flees New York for Mesquite Springs in the Texas Hill Country, where her father is building a hotel. But the happy reunion she envisions is not to be as her father insists she return to New York. Instead, Alexandra carves out a niche for herself in town, teaching schoolchildren to paint and enjoying the company of Gabe Seymour, a delightful man she met on the stagecoach.

But all is not as it seems. Two men, each with his own agenda, have followed her to Mesquite Springs. And Gabe is an investigator, searching for proof that her father is a swindler. When a series of apparent accidents threaten her life, Alexandra and Gabe will have to work together to discover the truth. And perhaps along the way they will discover that the sparks of attraction they've felt from the beginning are more than sparks--they're love.


My Review:
The Spark of Love is a Christian romance set in 1857 in Texas. This book is the third in a series, but it can be read as a standalone and didn't spoil events from the previous books. Alexandra wants to be loved for herself rather than her money. But her own father doesn't seem to love her, and she wonders what makes her so very unlovable. Gabe wants to prevent the scam that he believes her father is planning, but revealing his scam might destroy his budding relationship with Alexandra.

Gabe supported Alexandra and appreciated her personality, interests, and abilities. As they spent time together, their friendship grew into love. The main characters were engaging, had depth, and acted realistically. I cared about what happened to them. Suspense built as several people tried to pressure Alexandra to do their will (mainly involving marrying and handling over her money) and her life was threatened. Alexandra had to forgive Gabe and her father for the things they kept hidden from 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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Bargaining for the Barrister by Anneka R. Walker

Bargaining for the Barrister
by Anneka R. Walker

ISBN-13: 9781524421496
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Released: March 7th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Louisa Cox is tired of fortune hunters pursuing her dowry. So when Lady Kellen offers to help her find an eligible suitor, Louisa eagerly accepts and makes a list of what she wants in a husband. The man selected is barrister Paul Sheldon. He may be a complete stranger, but he has one thing in his favor: he is unaware of her fortune. What Louisa did not anticipate was his curious behavior—or being so attracted to him.

When Paul catches wind of the matchmaking organization his mother and her friends are establishing, he pities the fellow who will be caught in their scheme—until he realizes he is to be their first victim. Horrified, Paul determines to thwart his mother’s plans by whatever means necessary. After meeting his intended, however, his increasing desire to be near her threatens to disrupt his convictions. Louisa is everything he could want in a wife, and when an unexpected adventure sets in motion the very plan he had determined to halt, he almost wishes his mother’s plot could succeed. But Paul harbors a secret and a past that make it impossible for him to give Louisa the life she deserves.


My Review:
Bargaining for the Barrister is a romance set in 1821 in England. Louisa knows that she has much to be grateful for, but she's grieving the loss of her parents and her local suiters are clearly just after her money. She agrees to meet a man who's kind, considerate, and doesn't know about her dowry. Will a man finally like her for herself? She tries to smile and find things to be thankful for even when things seem bad. This attitude draws Paul, but he refuses to marry until he proves himself worthy to be his parent's heir and of love.

This was a sweet, slow-building romance. The two became friends as they got to know each other and then caring turned into love. It's funny when Paul's friends try to interfere on his behalf and the match-making mamas try to force them together. But it also went deeper as the characters struggled with real issues from their past and found healing. All of the main characters were likable. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'm 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.

The Letter from Briarton Park by Sarah E. Ladd

The Letter from Briarton Park
by Sarah E. Ladd

ISBN-13: 9780785246725
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Released: March 1st 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Cassandra Hale grew up knowing little about her parentage, and she had made peace with the fact that she never would. But Cassandra’s world shifts when a shocking deathbed confession reveals a two-year-old letter from Mr. Clark, the master of Briarton Park, with hints to her family’s identity. Stung by betrayal, she travels to the village of Anston only to learn Mr. Clark has since passed away.

James Warrington is a widower and the new master of Briarton Park, where he lives with his two young daughters, his sister, and his mother-in-law. When Cassandra appears at his doorstep with a letter from the previous owner and then proceeds to assist his family in an unexpected way, he is honor bound to help uncover the answers she seeks.

The more time Cassandra spends in Anston, the more she begins to suspect not everything—or everyone—is as they seem. As details emerge, the danger surrounding her intensifies. Using wit and intuition, she must navigate the treacherous landscapes between truth and rumor if she is to uncover the realities of her past and find a home.


My Review:
The Letter from Briarton Park is a romance set in 1811 in England. The main characters were engaging, and the story of a gal seeking to find her family and gaining one through her kind, courageous, honorable actions is always fun. But the historical errors were very distracting for me. Cassandra discovered she was the daughter of a maid who was raped by a rich man. Sadly, in this time period, both the maid and the child would have been looked down on. I accept that James would have been willing to marry her, but it was unbelievable that no one wondered at the socially-arrogant vicar's obvious intent to marry her.

Next, Cassandra repeatedly removed her coat and gloves and laid them on a chair rather than the servants offering to take them. Also, Cassandra was constantly smoothing her hair and clothing while men were watching. I assume it's meant to be a nervous habit, but she's also meant to have refined manners. She several times smoothed the front of her gown starting from the high waist, which would draw attention to her...assets, pull her dress tight over her body, and end by drawing attention to baby-making territory. Not very modest. No wonder the men were crazy for her, though that wasn't the reason given in the story.

There was no sex or bad language. Though somewhat predictable, it's an enjoyable story if you aren't distracted by historical accuracy problems.


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.

Love's Fortress by Jennifer Uhlarik

Love's Fortress
by Jennifer Uhlarik

ISBN-13: 9781636091815
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Barbour Fiction
Released: March 1st 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Upon receiving word that her long-estranged father has passed away, Dani Sango inherits the former art forger’s entire estate. Among his many pieces of artwork are a series of obviously Native American drawings and paintings, which lead her to research St. Augustine of 1875. Broken Bow is transported to Florida with other Cheyenne braves and held in Fort Marion. Sally Jo Harris and some other agree to teach the Indians. When a friendship develops between them and false accusations fly, it could cost them their lives. Can Dani discover how their story ends?


My Review:
Love's Fortress is a split-time novel with a historical tale set in 1875 in Florida and a romance in the present time as the two investigated the origins of some ledger art. The author wove a few fictional characters into the historical reality that some of the most aggressive Native American warriors were transported to live in a fort in Florida when their people surrendered. They were treated fairly but required to learn English and new trades. They were encouraged to draw art showing their personal history, though, so they wouldn't forget their past. Since Sally Jo was passionate about all people having value in God's sight, she helped teach at the fort despite her father's disapproval.

In the present day, Dani hated her art-forging father so she wanted little to do with the inheritance he left her when he died. But his friends show her that she's been told lies about him. Also, a Native American ledger art book was among the art, so she reached out to an art expert to help her discover if it's genuine and the story behind it. The initial physical attraction between the two turned into caring, especially with a cute young niece in the mix. Dani's experiences while growing up might help the child through the trauma she's just experienced.

The significance of Jesus' birth, death, and resurrections were explained to Broken Bow. A friend of Dani's father introduced her to the idea of letting the Holy Spirit lead her path and that God is directing things. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting 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.