A Season of Love ~ Review

A Season of Love
By Carla Kelly

A Season of Love is a delightful 5-in-1 book. Five short stories centered around Christmas and the main characters are in varying degrees of despair or just plain unhappy with sudden and unexpected changes in their lives.

Let Nothing You Dismay finds Miss Cecilia Ambrose accompanying a young student, a Lady Lucinda Chase, to her home. But instead of Lucinda's parents, she instead finds Lord Trevor Chase at the home of his elder brother. When an unexpected turn of events finds Cecilia staying on Chase Hall she comes to see that this family has need of a special hand to bring joy to this Christmas. But even more in need of her help is Trevor who never celebrates Christmas alone or with his nieces and nephew.  Can an unexpected visitor bring new joy to the season?

No Room at the Inn finds Lady Mary experiencing a sudden reversal of fortunes. Traveling to meet the family she never knew and with no title to her name, her life is looking somewhat bleak. But when the weather makes further travel impossible Mary along with her traveling companions find themselves stranded in the home of an old friend. But can a simple Christmas without all the trappings of society bring a feeling of comfort to a hurting heart? Mary McIntyre is about to find out with the help of Joseph and Ethan Shepard and more stranded travelers. This is about to be Christmas not to be forgotten by one and all!

The Lasting Gift finds Suzie Jenkins Davis and Thomas Jenkins have settled into Thomas's new home in Plymouth. But after years as a sailing master with Royal Navy Thomas finds himself with time on his hands and no way to fill it. Meanwhile, Mary Ann Poole finds herself with little means though she is Lady Naismith's secretary when an unexpected package arrives by post. Burdened with a package not her own and the kept knowledge that all too soon she would be again seeking employment Mary Ann and her daughter Beth seek to return the package. Soon a friendship blooms that could lead to something more.

Faithfully Yours finds Sally Wilson, John McPherson, and Margaret Patterson caught in a deception that has lasted for ten years. Ten years ago in an act of cruelty, Margaret promised to write to John as he sought to better himself. Unable to see anyone hurt in such a way Sally wrote to John under the guise of Margaret's name. But one last letter is about to change everything. Will the truth be revealed and the heart that reached out to another find its match?

Lucy's Bang-up Christmas Lucy (Lucinda) Danforth is having the worst Christmas ever. Her older sister is getting married on Christmas Eve and all Christmas festivities are to be put aside so as to not offend the groom-to-be. Worse this is the first Christmas without her mother and Lucy is feeling the losses and the ever-mounting tensions within her home. When her second cousin Miles Bledsoe joins the family for Christmas Lucy is relieved to find a sympathetic ear and someone to aid her in honoring her late mother with an act Christmas charity. What was looking to be the worst Christmas is soon on its way to being one of the best. And the best gift is one Lucy never expected.

This book is a perfect escape from the created flurry of Christmas. Find yourself stressing about your to-do list and all the activities and events of the season - just take a break and enjoy one of these delightful stories. Escape to the Regency era where technology and social media are a far distant dream. Pour yourself a cup of tea (or coffee, cocoa, or cider) and have a cookie or two and sit back and relax.

I was provided an advanced review copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.


About the Book:
At Christmastime, love is just a wish away! Join master romance writer Carla Kelly in this joyful celebration of the most wonderful time of the year. Set in Regency England, these Christmas tales will take you from dangerous adventures on snowy roads to cozy little cottages, filled with holiday mischief. Five fun stories in one book!

Twofer Murder ~ Book Spotlight with Video Interview

Book Details:

Book Title: Twofer Murder by Lauren Carr
Category: Adult fiction, 400 pages
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: November 17, 2017
Tour dates: Nov 1 to 30, 2017
Content Rating: PG + M (Please be aware that TWOFER MURDER is a murder mystery. There are depictions of murder and some violence--though easy on the gore contents. No f-words but there may be some mild profanity, and mild religious expletives such as "damn", "hell" and "Oh God!". Some depictions of brief sexual content (kissing). No drug use or underage drinking among the protagonists.)

Book Description:

Twofer murder? What’s a twofer murder?

Twofer Murder is a treat for fans of best-selling author Lauren Carr’s fast-paced mysteries! Lauren’s latest novel contains the main characters from her three successful series: Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose mysteries. The guys go away for a fishing weekend only to get caught up in the murder of a journalist investigating fraud at a timber company. Meanwhile, the ladies are spending the weekend in the presidential suite at a posh resort where Jessica Faraday is to accept a lifetime achievement award for her late grandmother at a murder mystery writers conference. But before they have time to get their facials, they get wrapped up in their own real mystery when an up and coming author ends up dead!

Lauren Carr’s Twofer Murder is a 2-for-1—making it a must-read for any mystery fan!
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Buy the Book:

Amazon

Add to Goodreads

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Meet the Author:

Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, romance, and humor.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband, and three dogs on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram

Learn what Lauren Carr's favorite Gnarly moments are with this special video.

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What are readers saying about Lauren Carr's mysteries?

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Dangerous Illusions ~ Review

Dangerous Illusions
Code of Honor #1
By Irene Hannon

When Trish Bailey's life starts to overwhelm her she starts making mistakes. But when one mistake leads to a tragedy Trish's life seems to close in around her. And then when her actions come under police scrutiny Trish can't believe that she could be charged with the murder of a loved one. Even worse is having to live with the knowledge that her error cost a life.

Called to the scene of an unexpected death, Detective Colin Flynn is tasked with determining whether or not Trish Bailey made a mistake or a deliberate decision in the death of her mother.

But something even more sinister is in play and all too soon more than one life is in danger. As Colin, with the help of Mac McGregor, works through the mounting evidence and the ever-growing list of questions he finds himself drawn to Trish.

Irene Hannon has debuted a new series with Dangerous Illusions and fans will love that she has again placed the story in the St. Louis area. There is a definite psychological element at play in this one and as to the whodunit, this is a real WOW. If this book is any indication this series will be real page-turners that will keep the reader up into the wee hours of the night.   

If you love mystery with a twist give this book a try!


About the Book:
Trish Bailey is on overload trying to deal with a demanding job, an ailing mother, and a healing heart. When a series of unsettling memory lapses leads to a tragic death--and puts Trish under police scrutiny--her world is once again thrown into turmoil.

Detective Colin Flynn isn't certain what to think of the facts he uncovers during his investigation. Did Trish simply make a terrible mistake or is there more to the case than meets the eye? As he searches for answers, disturbing information begins to emerge--and if the forces at work are as evil as he suspects, the situation isn't just dangerous . . . it's deadly.Bestselling and award-winning author Irene Hannon will capture your imagination with a mind-bending story that will have you doubling back to retrace your steps--and figure out what you missed! 

The Austen Escape ~ Review

The Austen Escape
By Katherine Reay

Mary Davies has given in to her best friend's persuasion and has most reluctantly agreed to a 2-week stay in Bath living the life of a character from one of Jane Austen's books. Isabel Dwyer has determined that immersing herself in Jane Austen's Bath is the only way to finish her dissertation and her English doctoral degree and Mary just has to go with.

With all the pressures at work, Mary is both reluctant and relieved. As an engineer, she is constantly developing new technology at WATT. But change has been creeping in and creativity is at a low and Mary wonders if she will have a job to return to. And then there is Nathan, the consultant who has been working with WATT. Mary hopes to have something more than a working relationship with Nathan, but Mary being Mary isn't going to make any ripples to change what is.

Bath is everything Austen and yes there are dresses and gowns which Mary is expected to wear. Isabel is in Austen paradise and LOVING every moment of it. But when something happens Isabel forgets everything except Regency living and Mary. Unfortunately for Mary, she is not an Austen aficionado - she crash-coursed just days before and is having to wing it with Isabel while monitoring the situation. But when secrets that Isabel has been keeping come to light while Isabel is not in the present Mary has to come to terms with just who Isabel is.

The Austen Escape is another interesting offering from Katherine Reay. This is the fifth book in which the author uses classic literature to give modern settings a unique twist. The characters all have a personality quirk that leaves them feeling as if they are not enough in and of themselves. In this book it is interesting how the distant past, the not some distant past and the present all come together so that the main characters are forced to confront what has been holding them back, to face their deficiencies and grow from there.

I really enjoy Katherine Reay's writing her characters are engaging and I really enjoy the tidbits of Austen found scattered throughout this newest book. These books are all standalone so no need to fear you'll be left standing in the dark with no clue as to what is going on. This would make an excellent book club selection and believe me, there would be plenty to discuss.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher through BookLook Bloggers with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.



About the Book:

Falling into the past

will change their

futures forever.

Mary Davies finds safety in her ordered and productive life. Working as an engineer, she genuinely enjoys her job and her colleagues – particularly a certain adorable and intelligent consultant. But something is missing. When Mary’s estranged childhood friend, Isabel Dwyer offers her a two-week stay in a gorgeous manor house in England, she reluctantly agrees in hopes that the holiday will shake up her quiet life in just the right ways.

But Mary gets more than she bargained for when Isabel loses her memory and fully believes she lives in Jane Austen’s Bath. While Isabel rests and delights in the leisure of a Regency lady, attended by the other costume-clad guests, Mary uncovers startling truths about their shared past, who Isabel was, who she seems to be, and the man who now stands between them.

Outings are undertaken, misunderstandings play out, and dancing ensues as this company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation, work out their lives and hearts.

Blue Ridge Sunrise ~ Review

Blue Ridge Sunrise
Blue Ridge Romance #1
By Denise Hunter

Five years ago Zoe Collins made a decision that she has had to live - one that took her away from her family and Copper Creek. But when Granny dies unexpectedly Zoe is left feeling the loss in ways she never expected. But Granny knew that Zoe needed to return to the place that she once called home and leaving the peach orchard that Zoe used to love working on to her just might be what is needed to bring her home for good.

But returning to Copper Creek means facing her past and the pain that she left behind and facing Cruz Huntley once again. And then there is Gracie the daughter that no one in Copper Creek has ever met. Can her daughter help her reconnect with her brother and her father or will this be yet another wedge to drive them further apart?

But Zoe is determined to keep the legacy left to her regardless of pressure from her boyfriend, Kyle, to sell. But with loans to pay back and a not too great growing season can she hope to hold the orchard? When she is offered a possibility to make a greater profit on her harvest Zoe sees hope for her future, but first, she must confront the secret that drove her from home.

Now Blue Ridge Sunrise as a title has such a beautiful sound to it and one would expect a story equal to such a title. Zoe is her own worst enemy, yes her dad has problems with her, but she is (or was) someone who decided what she wanted and when she wanted it. In fact, Zoe's very stubbornness is what finds her in her current situation separated from friends and family and kowtowing to a real jerk of a boyfriend. Worse she comes home and continues keeping secrets that are a further wedge in her already fragile relationships. And Zoe is somewhat manipulative, disregarding the opinion of others, and determined to do things her way. I can't say I feel too much empathy for Zoe, she more than anything annoys me. Cruz is okay, but he is too easily manipulated by Zoe. Yes, both of them are young but time doesn't seem to mature them too much in the five years between Zoe's escape and return. I think, character-wise, I prefer Zoe's brother Brady, who I hope gets a bigger role in the next book.

Don't get me wrong the book isn't bad, it's just that the two main characters just really annoy me with their hard-headedness. A whole lotta trouble could have been avoided if they could have talked and listened. And did I mention I love the cover - I would love to step into said orchard and pick a few. Now one thing this book lacks is reference to God or faith so if you are looking for Christian fiction (as the Library of Congress cataloging data states) you will be disappointed in this Thomas Nelson offering.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher through BookLook Bloggers with no expecations of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.


About the Book:
Former free spirit Zoe Collins swore she’d never again set foot in Copper Creek or speak to the man who broke her heart. But return she must when her beloved Granny dies, leaving the family legacy to Zoe—a peach orchard nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

When Zoe returns home with her daughter and boyfriend Kyle, she finds that she’s the only person in town who doesn’t expect her to give up the life she’s established far away from Copper Creek. Everyone believes she was born to run the orchard, but how can she make it her home after so many years?

Cruz Huntley never quite got over his first love, Zoe Collins, the little sister of his best friend Brady. Not when she cheated on him during their “break,” not when she took off to parts unknown with good-for-nothing Kyle Jenkins, and not even now—five years later.

As life-changing decisions and a history with Cruz hang over Zoe’s head, tensions rise between her and Kyle. Even as she comes to terms with the shifting relationships in her life, Zoe still isn’t sure if she can remain in Copper Creek with her new responsibilities . . . and her first love. 

Blind Spot ~ Review

Blind Spot 
Chesapeake Valor #3
By Dani Pettrey

Declan Gray is determined to track down and stop the terrorist threat that he knows is here. There's just one problem, someone is seemingly a step ahead of him thwarting his efforts. When he is partnered with Tanner Shaw his investigation is about to get a whole lot more interesting and dangerous.

Going back to the beginning seems to be their best chance at discovering when and where the attack is going to occur. Soon the two find themselves investigating Steven Burke's murder and his unauthorized investigation.

Meanwhile, Parker, Avery, Griffin, Finley, and Kate are helping out an old friend who is in need of their special skills. But soon their investigation takes a drastic change when murder comes into play.  This is one annual weekend retreat that they'll wish had been canceled.

When Declan's case becomes even more dangerous he needs to call on his friends, especially when the past comes calling. With time against them, and his heart caught up in this case, Declan needs to rely on those he trusts and the levelheadedness he is known for if he hopes to protect those he is sworn to protect.

Blind Spot is the third book in the Chesapeake Valor series, and for fans of Dani Pettrey, not the last. The action is almost none stop in this race against a growing terrorist threat. And for those who have been following the Luke thread that has been through the series, we are given a little more Luke story. And if you like a dramatic ending this one offers it in a big way.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations of a positive review ~ All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Book:

The Wrath is Coming. 

But They Don't Know Where--

Or When.

"The wrath is coming" were the final words that FBI agent Declan Grey heard the suicide bomber say. Now Declan is in the chase of his life--but isn't sure exactly what he's chasing after or when the threat will be unleashed on American soil. When his investigation's best clue leads him to a closed immigrant community, he turns to Tanner Shaw for assistance. She's sought justice for refugees and the displaced around the world, and if there's anyone who can help him, it's Tanner.

Tanner Shaw has joined the FBI as a crisis counselor . . . meaning she now has more opportunity to butt heads with Declan. As they work together to uncover the mounting threat, the tension between them also includes a spark she can't deny--and she's pretty sure Declan feels the same. But before anything more can develop, they find themselves in a race against time to stop the coming "wrath" that could cost thousands their lives.

The Space Between Words ~ Review

The Space Between Words
By Michele Phoenix

This book can be summed up in a single word ~ WOW. But a single word does not do this book justice. I've read Michele Phoenix's work in the past and, though it was well-written and the story good, it did not grab me the way this book did. This book, this story, is very moving.

The Space Between Words is a convergence of two stories, of two times, of two women, caught up in pain of hate and loss.

Adeline Baillard is living for her faith though it came at great cost ~ as a Huguenot Adeline is living a life persecuted by the French government. But her faith is the backbone of her life and for this she is willing to give her life.

Jessica is living in the present day, visiting France with her friends Patrick and Vonda. But when an attack occurs shattering Jessica's world and her sense of safety with it. Pushed to continue the trip that had been planned before the attack Jess finds an antique sewing box that holds a long-hidden secret that reveals part of Adeline's story.

Connecting to this young woman of conviction sets Jess on a journey to discover the fate of the Baillard family. But this journey may be just what Jess needs as she searches for the truth of the past and confronts the recent pain of her present.

This is a story not to be missed - just be sure to have a box of tissues nearby there are some especially moving scenes. (Yes, I admit it a couple of times I was moved to tears which does not happen often). I really liked the way the stories were told together. They were woven in such a way that it didn't feel forced. 

If you are looking for something different to read or are just a fan of fiction give The Space Between Words a try. It has a freshness to it that is interesting to explore and it doesn't shy away from the topics it is exploring. This would be an excellent book club selection if you are looking for a suggestion.

I was provided a complimentary review copy of this book by the Fiction Guild, a positive review was not expected, all opinions expressed are my own.


About the Book:

"There were seconds, when I woke, when the world felt unshrouded. 

Then memory returned."

When Jessica regains consciousness in a French hospital on the day after the Paris attacks, all she can think of is fleeing the site of the horror she survived. But Patrick, the steadfast friend who hasn’t left her side, urges her to reconsider her decision. Worn down by his insistence, she reluctantly agrees to follow through with the trip they’d planned before the tragedy.

“The pages found you,” Patrick whispered.  

“Now you need to figure out what they’re trying to say.”

During a stop at a country flea market, Jessica finds a faded document concealed in an antique. As new friends help her to translate the archaic French, they uncover the story of Adeline Baillard, a young woman who lived centuries before—her faith condemned, her life endangered, her community decimated by the Huguenot persecution.

“I write for our descendants, for those who will 

not understand the cost of our survival.”

Determined to learn the Baillard family’s fate, Jessica retraces their flight from France to England, spurred on by a need she doesn’t understand.

Could this stranger who lived three hundred years 

before hold the key to Jessica’s survival?