Author Archives: Barb

Flirting With The Beast by Jane Porter – a Review

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Flirting With The Beast by Jane Porter – a Review

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Description:
It’s been five years since Andi McDermott lost her husband, and she’s finally starting to feel like herself again, ready to live fully–she’s even started dating again. But when her holiday plans with her stepson and his fianc�e fall through, she refuses to spend another Christmas alone while everyone is celebrating with their families. Impulsively, she decides to go up to her cabin in Lake Arrowhead, a place she used to love to visit but hadn’t gone to in years, not since the feud started between her husband and their nearest neighbor.

Andi starts to rethink her decision when being alone at the cabin proves to be more challenging than she expected–a heavy snowstorm hits the area, and Andi finds herself trapped there with no one to help except for her neighbor, Wolf Enders. A military vet who lives full-time on Lake Arrowhead, Wolf is as grumpy and intimidating as Andi remembers. But he’s also unexpectedly kind and uncomfortably sexy–his presence reminds Andi that she may be older, but her body still works perfectly fine, thank you very much. But can this good girl tame this sexy beast of a man, and will this snowy fling turn into a love of a lifetime?

 

 

Review:

Flirting with the Beast by Jane Porter is the second book in her Modern Love series.  We meet our heroine, Andi McDermott from the start, when she is preparing a Christmas dinner for her stepson and his fiancée.  Andi lost her husband 5 years ago, and now she is slowly starting to live again, including dating.  When her stepson cancels in the last minute, Andi is devastated, and decides to go to her cabin in Lake Arrowhead, which she hasn’t been in years.

Andi runs into her neighbor, Wolf Enders, who had a feud with her husband in the past.  When a major snow storm hits, she loses power, and Wolf invites her to come to his cabin to have dinner and even stay until power returns, he also has a dog, Jax, who will slowly get used to Andi.  In a short time, Andi begins to see Wolf in a different light, with the chemistry between them sizzling, they start an affair. Wolf is a loner, having been in the military for a long time, and early on, he comes comes across as rough & tough, but he finds himself enamored with Andi; as she is to him.   What I really liked about this romance, was that both Andi and Wolf were older characters, both close to 60; but they were awesome together.

Where Andi has no children, with the exception of her stepson, whom she rarely sees; Wolf is divorced, with two sons (a third son died tragically in the military), and his grieving daughter in law, Lindsay, who has a 4-year-old son, Charlie.  Wolf’s ex-wife hates him, and Lindsay isn’t happy staying with her mother-in-law, and decides to move in with Wolf.  Quickly, Andi and Lindsay become friends, with Andi helping her move on. I really loved how close they became, and Charlie was the cutest and fun child.

This is not only a romance, but the story was very emotional, with a number of obstacles along the way, including issues such as mental health, depression, grief, therapy, loss of beloved family members, and taking care of a child.   The last ¼ of the book had me not happy with Wolf, as his behavior was not good, with lots of drama.  Will they end up together?

Flirting With the Beast was a wonderful story, that was also emotional and intense at times.  I loved most of these great characters that Jane Porter created, which was also very well written by Porter.  I totally suggest you read Flirting with the Beast.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Cowboys and Chaos by Elizabeth Pantley – a Review

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Cowboys and Chaos by Elizabeth Pantley – a Review

 

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Description:
This is no ordinary book club! When the group chooses a book, they are whisked away from reality to find themselves totally immersed in the story. The characters, the setting, and the murder all come to life. In order to exit the book, they’ll need to solve the mystery and reach The End.

This time, the club chooses a mystery that takes place in a quaint western town – in the old Wild West. That sounds like great fun, until they arrive in the dusty old town in the Arizona desert, among cowboys and saloons. They discover that the outhouse isn’t the worse thing about this trip.

The good news is that Paige, Glo, Zell, Frank, and the other members of the club discover plenty of surprises here, and they have a great time visiting a piece of history. They’ll get to live through many exciting moments as they unravel this cozy mystery story.

 

 

Review:

Cowboys and Chaos by Elizabeth Pantley is the 3rd book in her fun Magical Mystery Book Club series.  Refresher: Paige and her Aunt Glo, inherited the grandmother’s country inn, which comes with a magical library.  The magical library consists of 8 members, who choose a book, and they are transported into the story, with cozy mysteries that they have to solve.

In Cowboys and Chaos, Paige, Glo, Frank (cat who talks), and the rest of the book club members are transported to the Old Wild West, Bandana, AZ.  Upon arrival, they are shocked to meet with Gee Gee, their beloved great grandmother, who they thought was dead, but instead was living the rest of her life in the old west, where she had remained when in her last story.  There is also a new addition to the book club, Atticus, who joins the club.

When checking out the town, they end up in the saloon, which has two levels; first level is bar, food, and card playing; the second floor is a brothel. They overhear others discussing a girl named Molly, who has been missing; which leads them to follow-up on her disappearance, as this was the mystery they needed to solve.    Early on, to their shock, they meet Molly, who is dead and a ghost, only the book club members can see and talk to Molly. Molly was a fun, lovable character, who was determined to help the book club members find the person who killed her.  

Cowboys and Chaos was another fun story, with all of the members in the middle of this mystery. There were many suspects, with different clues, as they continued to get more information and also work with the sheriff, still convincing the town that they were friends of Gee Gee.  It was a lot of fun, to become part of the past, with cowboys, cute dresses and bonnets, not to mention the dangerous situations, with gunslingers, and villains.   There were a number of surprises throughout, which was so much fun and a blast to read.  I really like Paige, Glo and other members, but of course I loved Frank, the talking cat.  Cowboys and Chaos was a wonderful lighthearted mystery, which was very well written by Elizabeth Pantley.  I look forward to the next book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

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A Light in the Flame by Jennifer L. Armentrout – a Review

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A Light in the Flame by Jennifer L. Armentrout – a Review

 

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Description:
The only one who can save Sera now is the one she spent her life planning to kill.

The truth about Sera’s plan is out, shattering the fragile trust forged between her and Nyktos. Surrounded by those distrustful of her, all Sera has is her duty. She will do anything to end Kolis, the false King of Gods, and his tyrannical rule of Iliseeum, thus stopping the threat he poses to the mortal realm.

Nyktos has a plan, though, and as they work together, the last thing they need is the undeniable, scorching passion that continues to ignite between them. Sera cannot afford to fall for the tortured Primal, not when a life no longer bound to a destiny she never wanted is more attainable than ever. But memories of their shared pleasure and unrivaled desire are a siren’s call impossible to resist.

And as Sera begins to realize that she wants to be more than a Consort in name only, the danger surrounding them intensifies. The attacks on the Shadowlands are increasing, and when Kolis summons them to Court, a whole new risk becomes apparent. The Primal power of Life is growing inside her, pushing her closer to the end of her Culling. And without Nyktos’s love—an emotion he’s incapable of feeling—she won’t survive her Ascension. That is if she even makes it to her Ascension and Kolis doesn’t get to her first. Because time is running out. For both her and the realms.

 

 

Review:

A Light in the Flame by Jennifer L. Armentrout is the 2nd book in her Flesh and Fire series. I am such a big fan of Armentrout, as she always gives us fantastic fantasy stories, and wonderful lead characters.  The Flesh and Fire series is a prequel to her wonderful Blood and Ash series, taking place thousands of years prior to that series. Refresher: Seraphena (Sera) Mierel, our heroine, was born to be an assassin, fulfilling her part in a deal made by her ancestor all those years before, as she has trained to be a powerful weapon. Nyktos saves her life, and he takes her to his home, to become his Consort. It is here where we meet all of Nyktos’s wonderful warriors that guard him, and when they get back home, we meet many more wonderful secondary characters. A Light in the Flame picks up where A Shadow in Ember left off, with Sera’s true mission was exposed.

Though at first, most of Nyktos’s people resent Sera, but as she realizes Nyktos was never her target, everything begins to change; especially her feelings toward him. Nyktos truly accepts that she was trained to enact her forced plans, but now Sera is free, determined to help defeat the real enemy. Sera had been trained all her life to kill Nyktos, and now she knows that everything she knew was false.  Sera and Nyktos were so great together, with their chemistry off the wall.  Nyktos continues to protect Sera, and slowly all his crew, begin to care for her too. I loved how Sera would not listen to others, when she wanted to train, as well as to help Nyktos; the warriors always gave in, and her wonderful abilities won them all over. 

Sera was an awesome heroine, strong, fierce, powerful, determined, a warrior, with amazing abilities and courage.  Soon she realizes that she loves Nyktos, even though he is unable to love, but she will also be protective of him.  Nyktos was also great, as we couldn’t help fall in love with him; especially how he protects Sera, as well of all in his realm.  They were so great together, both succumbing to their true feelings.

I enjoyed all the wonderful characters in Shadowlands, as they were lots of fun, and totally opening up and accepting Sera.  I loved Nektas, who was great with Sera, always offering advice.  But most of all I adored both Jadis and Reaver (Nektas’ baby drakens). I really loved how Sera would use her powers to bring back to life two important women, whom both would then ascend. As we get closer to the end, thinking all was well, the coronation happens, and Sera is crowned Consort.

There were many villains in this book, that had me hating them, and as we raced to the end, we learn how despicable many of them were.  Kolis, the King of the Gods (the false Primal of Life), was evil, especially when the truths are revealed about his knowledge of the past, changing the game.  Attes, who turned into a traitor, showing his true side. Veses, who blackmailed Nyktos, causing Sera to think he was having affair with her, but later she will learn the real truth.

What follows is an exciting, action filled, emotional, sexy, intense, and romantic adventure that had me holding my breaths so many times.  The last third of the book was mind-blowing, with heart wrenching, emotional and many surprising twists. Jennifer L. Armentrout once again gives us another intriguing story, with wonderful world building, and lots of action, suspense, violence, betrayal, passion and fantastic characters. Of course, as the norm for JLA, we are left open, with a cliffhanger at the end.  Now we have to wait to see Sera and Nyktos again. If you have not read the Blood and Ash series, I suggest you read that series, then start Flesh and Fire series.

Reviewed by Barb

Owned copy

 

 

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Lost with a Scot by Lauren Smith – a Review

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Lost with a Scot by Lauren Smith – a Review

 

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Description
Brooding, intense, passionate…
These are the three things Anna knows about the mysterious man who rescues her when she washes up on the shores after Scotland after surviving a shipwreck. With no memory of who she is except her name, she must rely on this darkly handsome Scot, Aiden Kincade as she searches for answers about her past. The more time she spends with Aiden, the more his heated looks, and fiery kisses ignite desires she never knew she had. But she fears that finding out who she is will only tear her and Aiden apart.

The last thing Aiden Kincade expects is to find a beautiful woman half-drowned while he rides along the beach. But the moment he takes her into his arms, he realizes that this is the woman he has dreamed about for years, the woman who had been prophesied to bring about his death should he dare to love her. And yet denying his love for her is as impossible as drawing his next breath.

It’s clear from the moment they meet, that fate has brought them together. But as Anna’s past begins to surface, and a terrible danger looms over her, Aiden fears that he might lose everything and everyone he holds dear unless he can find a way to defy destiny.

 

 

Review:

Lost with a Scot by Lauren Smith is the 17th book in her The League of Rogues series. I’ve read a few of these books by the author. No need to read in order as they can be read alone, although there are a few characters from previous books that make an appearance. 

Great attention to detail, the Scottish words take a little getting use to, but once I managed to sort it out, it didn’t stop me flying through this book. 

Aiden and Anna’s story had me smiling, crying and wishing it was longer. Aiden finding Anna on the shore after a storm, being shocked at recognising her face from his dreams, and then finding out Anna doesn’t recognise him, nor does she know who she is! 

Anna has a past that could kill her and anyone close to her, but she doesn’t know that (yet) but she is attracted to her rescuer, it won’t hurt to stay with him until her memory comes back, will it? A friendship soon strikes up, and I get the feeling Aiden would like it to be more. And then it doesn’t take long for Anna to wish for the same. 

I had to smile at Aiden’s love of animals, there is one particular scene with a hedgehog ? that will have you chuckling. ? And when Anna’s memory returns will it mean the end of Anna and Aiden? People are looking for Anna, who? And what do they want with her? 

Can they fight these feelings? Or will they be torn apart by duty?  And what about the warning Aiden received as a lad….. will Anna be the death of him? 

Another great story by this author. Full of adventure, passion and a little mystery thrown in for good measure. 

Reviewed by Julie

Copy supplied for Review

 

 

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The Choice by Nora Roberts – a Review

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The Choice by Nora Roberts – a Review

 

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Description:
Talamh is a land of green hills, high mountains, deep forests, and seas, where magicks thrive. But portals allow for passage in and out–and ultimately, each must choose their place, and choose between good and evil, war and peace, life and death…

Breen Siobhan Kelly grew up in the world of Man and was once unaware of her true nature. Now she is in Talamh, trying to heal after a terrible battle and heartbreaking losses. Her grandfather, the dark god Odran, has been defeated in his attempt to rule over Talamh, and over Breen–for now.

With the enemy cast out and the portal sealed, this is a time to rest and to prepare. Breen spreads her wings and realizes a power she’s never experienced before. It’s also a time for celebrations–of her first Christmas in both Talamh and Ireland, of solstice and weddings and births–and daring to find joy again in the wake of sorrow. She rededicates herself to writing her stories, and when his duties as taoiseach permit, she is together with Keegan, who has trained her as a warrior and whom she has grown to love.

It’s Keegan who’s at her side when the enemy’s witches, traitorous and power-mad, appear to her in her sleep, practicing black magick, sacrificing the innocent, and plotting a brutal destruction for Breen. And soon, united with him and with all of Talamh, she will seek out those in desperate need of rescue, and confront the darkness with every weapon she has: her sword, her magicks–and her courage…

 

 

Review:

The Choice by Nora Roberts is the 3rd book in her fantastic,The Dragon Heart Legacy trilogy.  I loved the previous two books in this series, and could not wait to read The Choice.  Needless to say, I also loved the finale of this trilogy. Of course, this is the norm as Nora always creates such wonderful trilogies.  Refresher: Breen Siobhan Kelly grew up in the human world, unaware of her true nature, a daughter of the Fey. Her grandfather, is the evil dark god Odran, who plans to destroy the realm of Talamh, and over the last two books, Breen has suffered grief and heartbreaking losses.  She has learned everything about the realm of Talamh, filled with magic, fairies, witches, dragons, etc; she continues to train on using her magical powers, to be ready to fight the evil god, Odran and save Talamh and the Fey.

Keegan and Breen’s relationship continues to grow, though he is constantly pushing her to use more of her powers. Keegan (the Taoiseach) is always by her side when the enemy tries to kill her using black magic. The evil forces (those who have joined the evil Odran), continue to show up to kill, with some losses along the way.  Breen is determined to defeat Odran, and save all her family and friends, as well as Talamh, as she needs to be able to use every weapon & powerful magicks to confront the darkness.

I really loved Keegan and Breen together, they were so perfect for each other. I love all the wonderful secondary characters who play such a large part of this story, supporting Breen every way; such as Marco, Nan, Sedric, Morena, Harken, Aisling, Brian, Tarryn, her Dragon Lonrach, just to name a few.  I enjoyed seeing how Marco was always there for Breen, and loved all his cooking; it was nice to see him fall in love with Brian.   But most of all I loved love Bollocks, her wonderful dog, who was so much fun, and always ready to fight and protect her from evil.

Throughout the story, we get to spend time for joyous holidays and celebrations in Talamh and Ireland. Breen also continues to write her books about Bollocks, as well as a fantasy novel, which her agent will like. In between the hard training, and terrible fighting, she manages to enjoy herself with walking with Bollocks, learning from Nan, enjoying Marco’s cooking, and just the fun of being with her true family and friends.

As we race to the climax, and epic battle begins with everyone in Talamh fighting against a terrible evil, and Breen rising up to fulfill her heritage to defeat Ordan.  Will Breen Survive? 

What follows is another fantastic story, so very well done by Nora Roberts.  I love the world of Talamah, with so many wonderful secondary characters, and a fantastic heroine and hero. I will not give spoilers, as you need to read this book from start to finish, but if you have not read the previous two books, then please start with the first book, The Awakening, then to The Becoming.  I loved everything about this book, as I devoured it from start to finish. Bravo to Nora Roberts who gives us another fabulous trilogy, which is not to be missed.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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The Whittiers by Danielle Steel – a Review

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The Whittiers by Danielle Steel – a Review

 

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Description:
Preston and Constance Whittier have built a happy life together with a brood of six children raised in a beautiful historic Manhattan mansion. Now, with a nearly empty nest, it’s easier than ever for the Whittiers to maintain their tradition of a solo romantic “wintermoon” ski trip.

But with this year’s trip comes tragedy. Suddenly, their adult children find themselves reuniting in the family home without their parents for the first time ever. The oldest, Lyle, is reaching a breaking point in his marriage and must decide whether a divorce would be best for him and his two children. Gloria’s big job on Wall Street has kept her single at forty, and growing ever more cynical. The twins, Caroline and Charlie, moved out long ago to start a fashion business that may now be faltering. Benjie, with special needs, is hit hard by the loss of his parents and needs his siblings’ help. And Annabelle, the youngest, drops out of college and starts to spin out of control.

The eldest four are forced to put aside their personal issues and their grief to keep the family together and support each other and their two youngest siblings. Selling the house, along with all the memories that live in its walls, feels like yet another devastating loss. Could there be another way, as unconventional as it seems?

In The Whittiers, Danielle Steel delivers an inspiring story about the everlasting bonds of one unforgettable family.

 

 

Review:

The Whittiers by Danielle Steel is another one of her wonderful standalone novels.  The Whittiers is a fantastic family-oriented story line.  We meet the entire family from the start, with the parents, Preston and Connie, as well as their children, Lyle (oldest at 42), Gloria (39), twins Charlie and Caro (33), Benjie (28- autism spectrum) and Annabelle (youngest at 21); as they all celebrate Christmas every year.  They are a very close-knit family, with only Amanda, Lyle’s wife being an outcast, only caring about money. After the holidays, Preston and Connie always go away to Europe for an annual vacation, with this year going skiing to France. 

But a tragedy happens while they were skiing, and hit by an avalanche; killing them both instantly. The family is shocked, and find themselves reuniting at the family mansion to make decisions and console each other. Their parents left a generous bequest to each of their six children, thinking that they can also share the bigger inheritance if they sell the mansion; worth between $50-100 Million. However, 5 of the six children do not want to sell at this time, with most ending up going back home to stay at the mansion together.  It was so wonderful to see how they all moved in to help Benji, and Annabelle (who becomes pregnant), as well as Lyle, who was separated from his wife.  I enjoyed the love between all family members, and how they were always there for each other.  Each family member had their own life issues, as well as finding love for all. 

Lyle, worried about his two children, bringing them to the mansion every other week, and doing everything he could to finalize his divorce. Gloria was a successful lawyer, who had no relationships with others.  Caro and Charlie, were running a fashion business, which were long hours, and more funds were needed to help promote their work.  Benjie was at times hard to handle, but the love of his family always helped him; he also had two cute dogs. Annabelle was the wild one, always staying out all hours, until she needed help from her family.

What follows is a wonderful heartwarming story, with the family determined to keeping everyone together, especially with the older siblings helping to support Benji and a pregnant Annabelle. The Whittiers was a fabulous storyline, with fantastic family that had to deal with grief, hostile divorce, expansion and wonderful romances along the way.   The Whittiers was so very well written by Danielle Steel.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan – a Review

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Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan – a Review

 

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Description:
After winning her mother’s freedom from the Celestial Emperor, Xingyin thrives in the enchanting tranquility of her home. But her fragile peace is threatened by the discovery of a strange magic on the moon and the unsettling changes in the Celestial Kingdom as the emperor tightens his grip on power. While Xingyin is determined to keep clear of the rising danger, the discovery of a shocking truth spurs her into a perilous confrontation.

Forced to flee her home once more, Xingyin and her companions venture to unexplored lands of the Immortal Realm, encountering legendary creatures and shrewd monarchs, beloved friends and bitter adversaries. With alliances shifting quicker than the tides, Xingyin has to overcome past grudges and enmities to forge a new path forward, seeking aid where she never imagined she would. As an unspeakable terror sweeps across the realm, Xingyin must uncover the truth of her heart and claw her way through devastation–to rise against this evil before it destroys everything she holds dear, and the worlds she has grown to love… even if doing so demands the greatest price of all.

 

Description:

Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan is the 2nd book in her Celestial Kingdom Duology. Heart of the Sun Warrior starts a year later from where it left off in the first book.  Xingyin has recovered from her injuries, and is happy to have returned home with her mother (now free) on the Moon.  The love triangle between Xingyin-Liwei- Wenzhi continues to escalate, especially when Liwei visits her on the Moon often, and Wenzhi is determined to prove that he loves her, and learned from his previous wrongdoings.  To Xingyin’s shock, she learns that her father is still alive, though in the mortal realm; but he returns to the Moon to see C’hang and Xingyin.  Her peaceful time is shortened, as a new threat to the realm has been discovered, threatening all of immortal and mortal realms. 

Xingyin is forced to leave her home again, when her mother was sent to prison, and Xingyin must find a way to save her.  The Celestial Emperor has been overcome by evil, and the throne is now been usurped by the terrible Wugang, who is now in charge.  Xingyin and her companions, which include, Liwei, Wenzhi, her father, and others to convince other realms to join the fight and save the world. 

What follows is an exciting, tense, emotional, action filled attempt to stop an evil being and his army of death. There is so much going on in the last third of the book, as I held my breath as to who will survive, against the devastation of terror that threatens the realms.  To say too much more would be spoilers and you really need to read this without me spoiling it for you. I did enjoy Xingyin’s feelings toward both Liwei and Wenzhi, but the love triangle was somewhat bittersweet.  

Heart of the Sun Warrior was a fantastic duology with an amazing conclusion. The Celestial Kingdom was a excellent high fantasy that was set in Asian mythology, with a wonderful heroine, and great secondary characters, villains, excellent world building and action-packed adventures. Sue Lynn Tan wrote a magnificent, intriguing, captivating story, which was so very well written.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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A Christmas Deliverance by Anne Perry – a Review

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A Christmas Deliverance by Anne Perry – a Review

 

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Description:
Scuff has come a long way from his time as a penniless orphan scraping together a living on the banks of the Thames. Now he’s studying medicine at a free clinic run by Dr. Crowe, a thoughtful if stoic mentor. But lately Crowe has been distracted, having witnessed an altercation between a wealthy former patient of his named Ellie–a woman that he not only treated but developed unacknowledged feelings for–and her controlling fiancé. It seems someone is forcing Ellie to marry the man. When Crowe’s emotions come flooding back, he sets out to uncover the troubling connection between Ellie, her father, and her betrothed.

With Crowe engrossed in his investigation just weeks before the holidays, Scuff is left to run the clinic on his own, treating London’s poor and vulnerable. In the holiday spirit, he offers Mattie, a young girl in need, a warm place to stay as the winter chill sweeps through the city. Together, Scuff and Mattie must also fend off the police, who are growing suspicious of Crowe’s amateur sleuthing. Will Crowe be able to help Ellie, and will Scuff be able to ensure that he and Mattie–and all of their patients–have a safe and peaceful Christmas?

 

 

Review:

A Christmas Deliverance by Anne Perry is a stand-alone novella, that is set in her mystery series, William and Hester Monk.  The story starts off with Dr. Crowe attending the wounds of a young girl, Mattie, as he fixes her damaged finger. Crowe operates a free medical clinic, mostly for the poor in its vicinity; with people paying mostly for the service with food, as well as occasional donations that help Crowe to purchase the medicines and equipment needed.  His assistant Scuff, has been learning everything about medicine, to help Crowe, his mentor, in handling the many patients that cannot afford to pay.  Scuff is the adopted son of William and Hester Monk (the other series), and he plays a major role in this story.

One day, Crowe arrives at a scene where a young woman is trapped under a carriage with a severe injury to her leg.  He manages to get her to his clinic to treat and cleanse the injury.  The young woman is Ellie Hollister, who is the daughter of a wealthy businessman. Her father is not pleased she is in this clinic for the poor, but with advice from his doctors, he allows her to remain for a few days.  Crowe was enamored by Ellie, but understands that she is out of his class.  A year later, he sees Ellie from a distance, having an argument with another man, who ends up slapping her.  Crowe comes to her rescue, and is shocked to discover that the man is her fiancée.  Crowe decides he needs to investigate why would Ellie would want to marry a man that abuses her.

With Crowe out of the office a lot to investigate the wealthy men Dolan and Hollister, Scuff is left to run the clinic mostly on his sown.  Young Mattie brings her kitten to Scuff, who realizes that Mattie is homeless, and offers her a warm place to stay with her kitten, Rosie, as well as give both of them food.  Mattie also helps out Scuff, with cleansing tools, and together they fend off the police, who are suspicious about Crowe’s investigations

What follows is Crowe using his connections throughout the town to learn more of why Ellie is being forced to marry Paul Dolan, an evil and abusive man. He learns about a fire, a dead man and the Dolan family possibly blackmailing Ellie’s father. As we race to the finish, Crowe visits Inspector Monk, to explain his findings, with an exciting dangerous finale.  A Christmas Deliverance was a well written mystery by Anne Perry.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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