The Lady from Burma by Allison Montclair

The Lady from Burma
by Allison Montclair

ISBN-13: 9781250854193
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Released: July 25, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In the immediate post-WWII days of London, two unlikely partners have undertaken an even more unlikely, if necessary, business venture - The Right Sort Marriage Bureau. The two partners are Miss Iris Sparks, a woman with a dangerous - and never discussed - past in British intelligence and Mrs. Gwendolyn Bainbridge, a war widow with a young son entangled in a complicated aristocratic family. Mostly their clients are people trying to start (or restart) their lives in this much-changed world, but their new client is something different. A happily married woman has come to them to find a new wife for her husband. Dying of cancer, she wants the two to make sure her entomologist, academic husband finds someone new once she passes.

Shortly thereafter, she's found dead in Epping Forest, in what appears to be a suicide though there is some doubt. At the same time, Bainbridge is attempting to regain legal control of her life, opposed by the conservator who has been managing her assets - perhaps not always in her best interest. When that conservator is found dead, Bainbridge herself is one of the prime suspects. Attempting to make sense of two deaths at once, to protect themselves and their clients, the redoubtable owners of the Right Sort Marriage Bureau are once again on the case.


My Review:
The Lady from Burma is a mystery set in 1946 in London. It's the fifth book in the series. It probably shouldn't be the first book you read in the series (like it was for me) because it focused a lot on Gwen's legal troubles and Iris' love life. The actual murder investigation didn't start until about halfway through, and the author gave the readers a strong hint at the very beginning about what's going on (the motive for murder). It didn't really feel like a mystery to me but more like a historical drama. Historical details were woven into the story to create a distinct sense of the time and place.

Iris was observant, smart, and came up with good, logical leads to follow up on regarding possible suspects. Gwen's the more intuitive partner, and she can also quickly spot when things don't match up and need looking into. But she's her own worst enemy. She acted on her insights in ways that weren't rational and only made things worse for her. I don't know if this is her typical behavior, but I have a hard time accepting her as an amateur detective even after she figured out critical clues. Gwen just seemed so easily overwhelmed and guided by her emotions even when she knew her actions weren't wise.

There was some bad language. There was sex (as Iris enjoys having sex even if she--a match maker--isn't looking for love) but no actual sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this as a historical but not so much as a 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 Starlet Spy by Rachel Scott McDaniel

The Starlet Spy
by Rachel Scott McDaniel

ISBN-13: 9781636096131
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Barbour Publishing
Released: August 1, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In 1943, Movie producer Henrik Zoltan approaches Amelie Blake under the guise of offering the Hollywood star a leading part in his upcoming film, but he has a more meaningful role in mind. Amelie’s homeland of Sweden declared neutrality in the war, but Stockholm has become the ‘Casablanca of the North.’ When top-secret atomic research goes missing in Sweden, the Allied forces scramble to recover the files before they fall into Nazi hands.

The United States Office of Strategic Services (OSS) needs someone who’s subtle enough to spy on the Swedish elite without triggering suspicion. Who better than the “all beauty, no brains” Scandinavian starlet? Fluent in three languages and possessing a brilliant memory, Amelie loathes being labeled witless but uses the misconception as her disguise. She’s tasked with searching for the crucial files, but Finn Ristaffason keeps getting in her way. Is the charming shipping magnate after the missing research? Or does he have other reasons for showing up at her every turn?

Amelie must rely on her smarts in addition to her acting skills to survive a world of deadly spies and counterspies.


My Review:
The Starlet Spy is a romantic suspense set in 1943, mostly in Sweden. The historical details drove the story and immersed me in the time period and location. The main characters were also engaging and had an interesting adventure.

Amelie's always cast as the dumb damsel-in-distress, but she wistfully wishes that someday she would be allowed to do her own stunts or help take down the bad guy. She's both nervous and excited by the idea that she can help the war effort as a spy but disappointed that she's to play the dumb blonde while doing so. She used her intelligence and intuition to solve the mystery of who had the missing suitcase but also realistically made some minor mistakes due to inexperience.

Finn's initially distressed by her willingness to run into dangerous situations (like a burning building) but soon realized that she had good reasons. She appreciated his support, and he was respectful and caring (in his own way). She slowly came to care for him through spending time with him but didn't fully trust him until she uncovered if he really was a double-spy or not. They were good for each other. The suspense was created by the danger involved in being a spy and her doubts about who could be trusted.

Amelie had moments were she felt that God was helping to guide her. There was no sex 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.

Countdown by Lynette Eason

Countdown
by Lynette Eason

ISBN-13: 9780800737368
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Revell
Released: August 1, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from NetGalley:
Flight paramedic Raina Price has been running so long it's hard to stop. To escape a dangerous stalker, she changed her name and disappeared, building a new life with the help of a friend from her time in juvie. It feels good to put her energies into saving people's lives, but because her stalker was never found, she's never stopped looking over her shoulder. And one can only run so far before the past finally catches up.

US Marshal Vincent Corelli's job is to hunt down fugitives and protect those who are assigned to him. When Raina is almost killed right in front of him, he vows to protect her at all costs--whether it's his job or not. Together they work to solve the mystery of Raina's past. But someone is out to make sure Raina doesn't live long enough to do it.


My Review:
Countdown is a Christian romantic suspense. This is the 4th novel in a series, but it works as a stand alone novel. Raina was charmed by a serial killer who nearly killed her and who won't stop trying to find her to finish the job. When Raina sees a boy who looks just like her stalker, she knows the boy is in danger, so she risks her life warn him. She has to accept Vincent's help as he has the connections she needs to warn the boy. But the effort alerts her stalker to her location, and now someone's trying to kill her.

The main characters were engaging, complex, capable, and reacted realistically to events. They had personal issues to deal with in addition to stoping the killer. The suspense was high throughout as the boy was in danger and Raina was repeatedly attacked. Raina and Vincent were friends from the start, but Raina no longer trusted her romantic judgment about men and didn't want to put anyone else in danger. She accepted his help (and even thanked him) because she needed it, but it was hard for her to let Vincent know about her past and endanger himself to help her.

The Christian element was about perspective: when Raina felt God was doing a poor job of protecting them, Vincent pointed out how they were still alive and without serious injuries. They briefly talked about why God let bad things happen. 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.

The All-American by Susie Finkbeiner

The All-American
by Susie Finkbeiner

ISBN-13: 9780800739362
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Released: July 11, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
It is 1952, and nearly all the girls 16-year-old Bertha Harding knows dream of getting married, keeping house, and raising children in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan. Bertha dreams of baseball. She reads every story in the sports section, she plays ball with the neighborhood boys--she even writes letters to the pitcher for the Workington Sweet Peas, part of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.

When Bertha's father is accused of being part of the Communist Party by the House Un-American Activities Committee, life comes crashing down on them. Disgraced and shunned, the Hardings move to a small town to start over where the only one who knows them is shy Uncle Matthew. But dreams are hard to kill, and when Bertha gets a chance to try out for the Workington Sweet Peas, she packs her bags for an adventure she'll never forget.


My Review:
The All-American is a coming-of-age story set in 1952 in New York. The story actually has two points-of-view: 16-year-old Bertha, who wants to play baseball professionally, and her 11-year-old sister, Flossie, who's a drama-queen who loves to read. Frankly, it sometimes felt more like Flossie's story than Bertha's, especially as the epilogue only explained what happened to Flossie and not the rest of the family. Flossie kept making comparisons between her life, with all it's unexpected disappointments and unfairness, with the novels she reads. She doesn't like sad novels.

The characters were likable and came across as real people who might really have lived though those events. The historical details were woven into the story and vividly brought it alive in my imagination. The main themes were women's baseball and how being accused of Communist leanings affected individuals and communities. Since this isn't a genre-typical story, I do rather wonder why talented-at-sports Bertha had to be portrayed as hopeless as a homemaker, even though she's trying.

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

Defending the Witness by Sharee Stover

Defending the Witness
by Sharee Stover

ISBN-13: 9781335597533
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Released: July 25, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
After witnessing a murder at the hands of a notorious gang leader, Ayla DuPree is a marked woman sent straight to witness protection. But when her handler is killed and her safety compromised, she has no choice but to run—forcing US Marshal Chance Tavalla and his K-9 Destiny to chase her. Can Chance keep Ayla alive long enough to find safety and justice?


My Review:
Defending the Witness is a Christian romantic suspense novel. Ayla's handler manages to warn her to run right before he's killed. He's taught her many skills for protecting herself, and she's determined to use them to stay alive. Chance has to track her down using his K9 partner Destiny and then convince her to trust him. He failed to keep his little brother safe when they were kids, though, so he doesn't want to be tasked with bodyguard duty. He wants to use his skills to track down the escaped killer gang leader. He basically got to do both as the killer thinks Ayla knows were 'the list' is, and she's forced to figure out where it might be.

The suspense was high throughout as Ayla was repeatedly targeted and she had to think quick and use her new skills to survive. The main characters were likable and reacted realistically to events, though I felt like the evidence should have made them a little more suspicious of one person. There was some Christian discussion about why bother to pray (or trust God) if you don't always get what you want and how God can redeem bad events to bring about good. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable 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.

Finding Us by Tracie Peterson

Finding Us
by Tracie Peterson

ISBN-13: 9780764237416
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Bethany House
Released: July 25, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
While taking photographs at an exposition in Seattle in 1909, Camera Girl Eleanor Bennett snaps an image of a woman in widow's clothes with deep sorrow etched in her expression and a young infant in her arms.

Eleanor longs to study botany at the University of Washington and soon becomes fast friends with botanist Bill Reed, but she can't stop thinking about the widow in the photograph. She is stunned to learn Bill recognizes the woman as the sister-in-law he believed lost in a shipwreck.

As Eleanor and Bill hunt for Amelia Reed to reunite her with her grief-stricken husband, they must stand together to face the danger that follows and learn to trust that God will direct their paths.


My Review:
Finding Us is a Christian romance set in 1909 in Seattle, Washington. It's the second in a series, but it can be read as a stand-alone and didn't spoil events in the previous book. This was primarily a sweet romance between Eleanor and Bill as they worked to re-type his ruined botany book in time to get it to the publisher. They got to know each other's character and shared many interests. They worked well together as a team. They not only fell in love but prayed and felt God was confirming that they should get married even though they hadn't known each other long. This was one "quick romance" where I felt like they really did know the important aspects of the other's character rather than having only a superficial attraction.

The side story was about Bill's preacher brother and his wife. After being separated during a shipwreck, an increasingly insane man managed to convince Wallace and his wife, Amelia, that the other was dead. Wallace turned his back on God in anger and grief but Bill kept trying to help him find faith again. They learned fairly quickly that Amelia was alive, safe, and intending to return home to Alaska, so they didn't try too hard to reconnect with her before then. They just rushed to return to Alaska.

The main characters were likable and generally behaved realistically. Interesting historical details about the Expo and life in Alaska were woven into the story. Wallace questioned why God allowed bad things to happen. There was no sex 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.

Her Alaskan Companion by Heidi McCahan

Her Alaskan Companion
by Heidi McCahan

ISBN-13: 9781335596802
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired
Released: July 25, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
When pregnant widow Lexi Thomas moves to Alaska for a fresh start, the last thing on her mind is romance. Fortunately her neighbor’s affectionate goldendoodle is just the distraction she needs—unlike his gruff but helpful owner. Police officer Heath Donovan needs someone to pet sit, but can he keep Lexi at a distance? When his unruly dog turns matchmaker, can he face his biggest fear for a shot at love?


My Review:
Her Alaskan Companion is a Christian romance. Heath's father died of a progressive, fatal disease that Heath has a 50% chance of also carrying. Rather than getting genetically tested to see if he has the disease, he's avoiding relationships. He doesn't want to burden others if he's disabled by this disease, and he certainly doesn't want to potentially pass it on to any children. When his kind, positive, and beautiful new neighbor sparks his interest, he considers a relationship. She's a pregnant widow, so she'll have a child from her first marriage. But he couldn't put her through losing him, too.

Lexi recently lost her beloved first husband, so she's surprised to be so attracted to the handsome, protective, and very helpful Heath. His dog's a great companion, too, and she enjoys dog-sitting. Her faith in Christ has helped her through hard times, and her new friends help her establish her photography business. But she can't figure out why Heath refuses to talk about his family and sometimes avoids her after she asks innocent questions.

The main characters were likable, though I honestly didn't understand why Heath preferred living as if he was destined to get the disease rather than just getting tested so he'd know. And he's so super-protective and hyper-aware of danger, he'd restrict what Lexi could do if it was his choice. This issue wasn't dealt with, and I suspect 'live life to the full' Lexi would get tired of it with time. Anyway. Heath hadn't talked with God since his father died but is urged to pray by several people. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this romance if you like straight romances with engaging dogs.


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.