A Beautiful Curse by Kenley Davidson

A Beautiful Curse
by Kenley Davidson

Kindle: 198 pages
Publisher: Page Nine Press
Released: February 26th 2018

Source: Rented through Kindle Unlimited.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
When a bumbling fairy godfather gifts a humble woodcutter’s fourth child with extraordinary beauty, she spends the next eighteen years trying to hide it—behind a book. Now, Elisette is ready to follow her dreams and become a scholar, but her admirers keep getting in the way of her ambitions. Ellie knows better than to rely on her fairy godfather, but she’s desperate enough to risk asking him for help. The trouble is, Mortimer isn’t feeling very helpful. In fact, he’s downright irritated…

After a bit of vengeful fairy magic, Ellie discovers that webbed feet and green skin are even harder to manage than beauty. No one cares what happens to a frog, except maybe quiet, unassuming Prince Cambren, who has enough troubles of his own. Will Ellie find a way to break her curse and live happily ever after? Or will she spend the rest of her life eating flies and living in a pond at the back of the palace garden?


My Review:
A Beautiful Curse is a twist on a fairytale. Elisette was given a fairy gift of extreme beauty. When she travels to another kingdom to become an apprentice at a library, not only is she fighting the prejudice of a woman taking such a job but she disrupts the library because so many people come there only interested in looking at her. When she complains to her fairy godfather, he makes her into a talking frog. A sympathetic prince vows to help her break the curse, but he has problems of his own. He and his brothers have been challenged by their father to solve a series of riddle challenges to determine who is best suited to become the next king.

I liked how Prince Cambren could empathize with how Eli felt, and he was kind. They became friends while helping each other out and encouraging each other. And that friendship was put to a hard test. The challenges that they faced were interesting, and they reacted realistically to events. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable fairytale retelling.


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 Dark and Stormy Tea by Laura Childs

A Dark and Stormy Tea
by Laura Childs

ISBN-13: 9780593200896
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Released: August 9th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
It was a dark and stormy night, but that was the least of Theodosia Browning's troubles. As she approaches St. Philips Graveyard, Theodosia sees two figures locked in a strange embrace. Wiping rain from her eyes, Theodosia realizes she has just witnessed a brutal murder and sees a dark-hooded figure slip away into the fog. In the throes of alerting police, Theodosia recognizes the victim--it is the daughter of her friend, Lois, who owns the Antiquarian Bookshop next door to her own Indigo Tea Shop.

Even though this appears to be the work of a serial killer who is stalking the back alleys of Charleston, Lois begs Theodosia for help. Against the advice of her boyfriend, Detective Pete Riley, and the sage words of Drayton, her tea sommelier, amateur-sleuth Theodosia launches her own shadow investigation. And quickly discovers that suspects abound with the dead girl's boyfriend, nefarious real estate developer, private-security man, bumbling reporter, and her own neighbor who is writing a true-crime book.


My Review:
A Dark and Stormy Tea is a cozy mystery. While there were potential clues and both the police and Theodosia actively investigated, it's not a puzzle mystery. You get some motives and that's about it. If you guessed whodunit before Theo's attacked at the end, it's a wild guess as there were no concrete clues that could narrow down suspects. Theo's so annoying in this story. She just did whatever she wanted to, sensible or legal or not. There's a killer strangling women who are out alone on dark, foggy nights? Why, that's the perfect time for her to go out alone, right? Repeatedly. Her boyfriend asked her to be careful and the head detective asked her not to do a certain thing. She nodded but went ahead and smugly did it as if she got a kick out of defying them. Of course, she also felt totally justified in snooping through other people's private property.

There was no bad language and no sex. It's the 24th book in a series. You don't need to read the previous books to understand this story, and this book didn't spoil the previous ones.


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.

Hiding in Plain Sight by Laura Scott

Hiding in Plain Sight
by Laura Scott

ISBN-13: 9781335587213
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Released: August 23rd 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Fleeing to her uncle’s home is Shauna McKay’s only option after her mother’s brutally murdered and the killer’s sights set on her. Local sheriff Liam Harland’s convinced hiding Shauna in his cousin’s Amish community will shield her. But when an Amish woman who looks like Shauna is attacked, it’s clear nobody in this peaceful community is safe…unless Liam and Shauna can stop the culprit’s murderous plan.


My Review:
Hiding in Plain Sight is a Christian romantic suspense novel. Shauna grew up distrusting the police, but the sheriff helped her when someone forced her off the road, causing a car accident. Her mother warned her that someone was threatening her and that Shauna would be the next target. With her mother murdered, they must discover why Shauna's a target while avoiding the attacker. Shauna and Liam generally worked well together and respected each other. They came to care for each other as they got to know each other. They asked questions of her uncle and looked through old personal stuff for information. The suspense came from repeated attacks.

The Christian element was about trusting God. 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.

Golden Cargoes by Fiona Buckley

Golden Cargoes
by Fiona Buckley

ISBN-13: 9781448309221
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Severn House
Released: August 2nd 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
May 1589. Being the queen's half-sister and occasional secret agent, can take its toll, which is why Ursula Stannard is looking forward to the simple pleasure of attending the wedding of her tenant's daughter. But on arrival, Arabella the bride-to-be is refusing to marry her intended. Ursula tries to reason with Arabella on behalf of her mother, Joan Mercer, but she senses all is not well with her betrothed, or within the Mercer household. The family have gold and jewels beyond their means, and Ursula suspects they may not have gained such riches legally.

Then the strangled corpse of local herbalist and suspected witch is found. Ursula also learns through her connections at Court that English vessels are being plundered by a trio of mysterious ships. Is someone willing to kill to protect their secrets and a bounty of golden cargo? Can she uncover the culprits, save the reluctant bride, and remain unscathed herself?


My Review:
Golden Cargoes is a mystery set in 1589 in England. It's the 21st book in a series. You don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one, and this novel didn't spoil the whodunit of the previous novels. It did spoil some major events from past books, though, so you may wish to read them in order.

Ursula didn't want to get involved with her tenant's troubles, but she noticed or overheard some odd things while visiting them for the daughter's wedding. An old woman accused of witchcraft was murdered, but Ursula left that for the locals to (not really, since no one cared) investigate. But then she's officially asked to go back and look for treasure that certain pirates had stolen as they're suspected of living in the area. Ursula and her servants searched for the treasure and asked questions until someone who knew the answers decided to help them. It's not really a 'guess whodunit' mystery as the reader knows so much more than Ursula. It's more of a mild suspense--will they get caught as they poke around? will they catch the pirates? will Arabella have a happy ending?

The characters were interesting and acted in realistic ways. The historical details were woven into the story and gave it a distinct sense of that time and place. There were only a few uses of bad language. There were a few vaguely-described sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable 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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

The Secret of Bow Lane by Jennifer Ashley

The Secret of Bow Lane
by Jennifer Ashley

ISBN-13: 9780440001799
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Released: August 2nd 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
A stranger who appears on Kat's doorstep turns out to be one Charlotte Bristow, legal wife of Joe Bristow, the man Kat once believed herself married to—who she thought died at sea twelve years ago. Kat is jolted by Charlotte’s claims that not only was Joe murdered, but he had amassed a small fortune before he died. Charlotte makes the cook an offer she cannot refuse—if Kat can discover the identity of Joe's murderer, Charlotte will give her a share of the fortune Joe left behind.

With the help of Daniel McAdam, her attractive and charismatic confidante, Kat plunges into her own past to investigate. When it becomes apparent that the case of Joe’s death goes far deeper than simple, opportunistic theft, Kat and Daniel's relationship is put to the test, and Kat herself comes under scrutiny as her connection to Joe is uncovered. She must race to catch the real killer before she loses her job and possibly her life.


My Review:
The Secret of Bow Lane is a mystery set in 1882 in London, England. This is the 6th book in the series. You do not need to read the previous novels to understand this one, and this book didn't spoil the mysteries of the previous books.

Kat investigated the long-ago death of her husband and also learned more about Daniel's past. Kat and friends narrowed down what Joe had been doing before he died and sorted through who could have killed him. The mystery was clue-based. Whodunit was guessable yet not obvious. Plenty of people had motive and opportunity. Kat asked good questions and tracked down leads. The main characters were interesting and likable. Historical details were woven into the story. There was no sex. There was some use 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.

Crossfire by Lynette Eason

Crossfire
by Lynette Eason

ISBN-13: 9780800737351
Paperback: 308 pages
Publisher: Revell
Released: August 2nd 2022

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
FBI special agent Julianna James is a top-notch negotiator who has never lost a hostage. Surely, she can manage to take care of her much younger sister, Dottie, who showed up unannounced to live with Julianna while she finished her senior year of high school.

A former sniper with the 75th Ranger Regiment, Clay Snyder left the army after a tragic incident that he can't get past. Now he's working as a high school resource officer until he can figure out what to do with the rest of his life.

Their paths cross when Julianna is called in to negotiate a courtroom hostage situation involving Clay's sister. Impressed and a bit intimidated by the calm, capable woman with the dark hair and blue eyes, Clay invites her to speak at his school. Dottie's school. But as the anniversary of a school shooting from Julianna's past approaches, it becomes clear that her perfect record is about to be tested and that Dottie is at risk. If Julianna and Clay can't figure out who's behind the attacks, more innocent people will die--and Julianna just might be one of them.


My Review:
Crossfire is a romantic suspense. This is the second novel in a series, but it works as a stand alone novel. Julianna became a negotiator because she survived a hostage situation when she was a teenager. She lost a close friend in that same incident, and she's determined to never lose a hostage. She's been successful so far, but her past haunts her as the fifteenth anniversary of that traumatic situation nears. Clay has his own trauma to work through as he can't forgive himself for following orders that resulted in an innocent man dying.

The main characters were engaging, complex, capable, and reacted realistically to events. Julianna needed to narrow down who was out for revenge against her. The high suspense came from danger to and repeated attacks on various people. All of the main female characters contributed toward either their own rescue or the rescue of others. They're not necessarily super-skilled women, just brave and determined not to sit around being a victim. Julianna and Clay enjoyed spending time together and respected each other.

The Christian element was about learning to forgive. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this exciting 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.

Deception by Patricia Bradley

Deception
by Patricia Bradley

ISBN-13: 9780800735760
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Revell
Released: August 2nd 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from NetGalley:
After being forced to kill an FBI agent gone rogue in self-defense while working in the violent crimes unit for the Investigative Services Branch, ranger Madison Thorn is comfortable with her move to the fraud and cyber division. At least numbers don't lie. So she's less than thrilled when a white-collar crime investigation in Natchez, Mississippi, turns violent. She ends up working with someone she knows from her childhood visits to her grandfather: handsome park ranger Clayton Bradshaw.

When a woman who looks just like Madison is attacked on the same night Madison's grandfather is shot, it becomes clear that there is something much bigger going on here and that Madison herself is in danger. Madison and Clayton will have to work together--and suppress their growing feelings for one another--if they are to discover the truth before it's too late.


My Review:
Deception is a Christian romantic suspense. This is the fourth book in a series, but it worked as a standalone novel. The main characters were engaging, complex, and reacted in realistic ways to events. The suspense came from the attacks on Madison and a woman who looks just like her--which one is the target? It was a complex mess to sort out. Madison and Clayton asked questions, followed up on leads, and worked well together.

However, Madison thought about some clues (so the reader can guess the identity of a suspect from a past case) yet she somehow didn't put the clues together at that time. There was another suspect where she seemed surprisingly willing to accept his assurances. On the other hand, she previously fell in love with someone willing to kill her, so it's consistent that she tended to see the best in people but was good at spotting discrepancies in paperwork and crime scenes.

Clayton trusted Madison's ability to analyze crime scenes. They worked as a team and supported each other. Clayton struggled to resist his addiction to gambling and to forgive his sister's husband for his addiction. He felt God telling him to support the other in resisting his addictions rather than condemning him, even if it was hard to trust that he really had changed. 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.

Code of Courage by Janice Cantore

Code of Courage
by Janice Cantore

ISBN-13: 9781496457561
Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House
Released: July 19th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Detective Danni Grace has never met a police officer who wants to face a scenario where pulling the trigger on another person is the only option. When the worst does occur and there's a police-involved shooting, it leads to riots and calls to disband the entire police force in La Rosa, Danni's hometown.

After fifteen years on the force, Danni has had enough. Injured in the line of duty when a protester throws a chunk of concrete at her and shaken by the vitriol being shown to the police, Danni realizes for the first time that she's lost her passion for the job.

While she's on a leave of absence, though, a community activist in La Rosa is shot and a fellow officer is blamed for his murder. Taking on this case means stepping back into a job Danni's not sure she can do anymore and working with her ex-husband, Gabriel Fox, an investigator for the city prosecutor's office. Danni will need to tap into her code of courage to uncover the truth, prevent another injustice, and uphold her oath to serve and protect.


My Review:
Code of Courage is a Christian suspense novel. The police officers working in Danni's city become demoralized when not only the police protesters are against them but the mayor blames the police for any violence and the city prosecutor refuses to charge any of the protesters even when they've clearly broken the law. They're pushing to get rid of the police department. Then a call for help turns out to be a set-up and a police officer is accused of shooting the lead protestor even though the evidence points to another killer. Worse, the detectives are prevented from investigating properly.

Gabe is pulled from investigating the shooting to work cold cases, but he finds one case that may get at the root of the current troubles. Danni is disillusioned and frustrated, but no one else is willing to go against the powers that be to clear the cop and uncover who's instigating the protests and violence. The true killer doesn't want the truth out and is willing to kill cops, which kept the suspense high throughout the story.

Danni felt angry at and abandoned by God. She still believed but "walked away" from her relationship with God. Her mother helped her to see the need to start praying and seeking guidance from God again. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this engaging, suspenseful story.


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