Tag Archives: Historical

The Bride Wore White by Amanda Quick – a Review

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The Bride Wore White by Amanda Quick – a Review

 

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Description:
Being Madame Ariadne, Psychic Dream Consultant, wasn’t Prudence Ryland’s ideal gig, but it paid well which was reason enough to do the work—until she realizes that her latest client intends to kill her. But Prudence, a master at reinvention, finds a new job and home as far away as possible and is finally able to relax—which turns out to be a big mistake. Letting her guard down means being kidnapped and drugged and waking up in a bloodstained wedding dress in the honeymoon suite next to a dead man. With the press outside the hotel, waiting with their cameras and police sirens in the distance, it’s obvious she’s being framed for the man’s murder. Prudence knows who is responsible, but will anyone believe her?

It doesn’t seem likely that rumored crime boss Luther Pell or his associate, Jack Wingate, believe her seemingly outrageous claims of being a target of a ruthless vendetta. In fact, Prudence is convinced that the mysterious Mr. Wingate believes her to be a fraud at best, and at worst: a murderer. And Jack Wingate does seem to be someone intimately familiar with violence, if going by his scarred face and grim expression. So no one is more shocked than Prudence when Jack says he’ll help her. Of course, his ideas for helping her involve using her as the bait for a killer, but Prudence feels oddly safe with Jack protecting her. But who will protect Prudence from her growing fascination with this enigma of a man?

 

 

Review:

The Bride Wore White by Amanda Quick is the 7th book in her wonderful Burning Cove series. This series takes place during the 1930’s in the small town of Burning Cove, California.  Some of the recurring characters we have met in the previous books continue to have secondary roles, as we return to Burning Cove.

We meet Prudence Ryland (our heroine) at the start, when she worked as a Psychic Dream Consultant, Madame Ariadne. When a customer comes into her store, her psychic ability gives her the vibe that this customer plans to kill her; when he makes his attempt on her, she manages to fight him off with her own powers, which causes the person to have heart failure.  Madame Ariande calls for an ambulance, and Prudence Ryland decides to drop this kind of work, and takes a job at the college library.  One night she is kidnapped, and wakes up next to a dead man, with her wearing a wedding gown with blood all over.  Prudence manages to escape, and calls Luther Pell in Burning Cove for help.

Prudence explains to Luther and Jack Wingate, who is a criminal consultant, about her kidnapping and murder threats, as well as her psychic dream reader ability as Madame Ariande.  Prudence and Jack get off on the wrong foot, he looks at her like a fraud; but Luther convinces them that together both of them can work well together, and find the people involved in trying to kill her or frame her for something she did not do. Jack, whose face was scarred from a fire, is very much familiar with violence, especially since he is creating a book to help police have clues on solving crimes.  Jack and Prudence slowly begin to work closely together, as he sets things in place to bait the killer; as well as protect her.   Their respect for each other grows, and a slow burn romance begins. There were many multiple antagonists, especially almost all members of the Dover Family. 

What follows is an exciting, intriguing, intense and suspenseful story that has a number of surprises and twists. The last half of the book was enthralling, as Prudence’s life was constantly in danger, and Jack was always there to protect her.  Prudence’s ability to not only read dreams, but to get people to reveal secrets, allowing for more surprises and clues.  I do not want to give spoilers, saying anything more would ruin the book for you.

The Bride Wore White was a terrific addition to this series, with a bit of romance, great couple, and a paranormal element.  Despite their bad start, I loved Prudence and Jack together. Amanda Quick once again gives us a complex mystery that had a bit of everything in this glamorous historical world of 1930’s.   I suggest you start this series from the beginning to enjoy the setting of this series, as well as meet some very good characters. However, each book does read very well as a standalone.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl by Renee Rosen-a review

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Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl by Renee Rosen-a review

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 25, 2023

It’s 1938, and a young woman selling face cream out of a New York City beauty parlor is determined to prove she can have it all. Her name is Estée Lauder, and she’s about to take the world by storm, in this dazzling new novel from the USA Today bestselling author of The Social Graces and Park Avenue Summer.

In New York City, you can disappear into the crowd. At least that’s what Gloria Downing desperately hopes as she tries to reinvent herself after a devastating family scandal. She’s ready for a total life makeover and a friend she can lean on—and into her path walks a young, idealistic woman named Estée. Their chance encounter will change Gloria’s life forever.

Estée dreams of success and becoming a household name like Elizabeth Arden, Helena Rubinstein, and Revlon. Before Gloria knows it, she is swept up in her new friend’s mission and while Estée rolls up her sleeves, Gloria begins to discover her own talents. After landing a job at Saks Fifth Avenue, New York’s finest luxury department store, Gloria finds her voice, which proves instrumental in opening doors for Estée’s insatiable ambitions.

But in a world unaccustomed to women with power, they’ll each have to pay the price that comes with daring to live life on their own terms and refusing to back down.

•••••

REVIEW:FIFTH AVENUE GLAMOUR GIRL by Renee Rosen is an adult, fictionalized historical tale about the rise of cosmetics giant Estée Lauder told through the eyes of Gloria Downing.

Told from first person perspective (Gloria) following two separate timelines (1938-1946) and (1984) FIFTH AVENUE GLAMOUR GIRL follows down on her luck Gloria Downing as she struggles in the wake of losing everything after a scandal that destroyed her family, sending her father to jail. Working as a shampoo girl in a local Manhattan salon in 1938, Gloria would meet struggling cosmetics entrepreneur Estée Lauder, as Estee ventured into a world dominated by men. With the ongoing depression, and an economy about to be devastated by war, Gloria found herself jobless, on the outside looking in until landing a job at Saks Fifth Avenue. As Gloria’s star began to rise from counter girl to buyer, Estee would push the boundaries of friendship, desperate for a chance to promote her beauty line at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Neither Gloria Downing nor Estée Lauder were who they represented themselves to be. Having had to reimagine the face they presented to the world, Gloria would disown the father who brought down the family with a financial scandal, and Estee chose to put business before family and love. Gloria will have loved and lost twice before finding her own happily ever after, and only one man would ever hold Estee’s heart but Estee was always looking for something more and exciting. Estee and Gloria’s often embattled relationship would result in a lifelong friendship between two people whose secrets and lies were but one scandal away from total implosion.

FIFTH AVENUE GLAMOUR GIRL is a fictionalized account of Estée Lauder’s foray into, and her rise in the world of perfumes and cosmetics. Some of the information is based in fact while much of the story is a fantasy brought to life from the mind of Renee Rosen.The premise is entertaining, engaging and interesting; the characters are larger than life yet real and vulnerable.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Secret Service of Tea and Treason by India Holton – Review

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The Secret Service of Tea and Treason by India Holton – Review,Excerpt & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
Two rival spies must brave pirates, witches, and fake matrimony to save the Queen.

Known as Agent A, Alice is the top operative within the Agency of Undercover Note Takers, a secret government intelligence group that is fortunately better at espionage than at naming itself. From managing deceptive witches to bored aristocratic ladies, nothing is beyond Alice’s capabilities. She has a steely composure and a plan always up her sleeve (alongside a dagger and an embroidered handkerchief). So when rumors of an assassination plot begin to circulate, she’s immediately assigned to the case. 

But she’s not working alone. Daniel Bixby, otherwise known as Agent B and Alice’s greatest rival, is given the most challenging undercover assignment of his life— pretending to be Alice’s husband. Together they will assume the identity of a married couple, infiltrate a pirate house party, and foil their unpatriotic plans. 

Determined to remain consummate professionals, Alice and Daniel must ignore the growing attraction between them, especially since acting on it might prove more dangerous than their target.

 

 

Review:

The Secret Service of Tea and Treason by India Holton is the 3rd book in her Dangerous Damsels series.  We meet Alice Dearlove (Agent A), who is one of the top agents within the Agency of Undercover Note Takers (AUNT). This is a secret government intelligence group that sends out spies; with Alice successfully handling many roles, such as a lady’s maid, witches, pirates, wealthy ladies, etc.   Her boss notifies her that she is being assigned to another job, and to her dismay, she is partnered with Daniel Bixby (Agent B), who is also a top-notch agent.  Daniel recently worked undercover as a butler to Alex O’Reily, a famous pirate.

Alice and Daniel are not too happy to be working together, but the task at hand is important, as they may need to thwart a possible assassination of Queen Victoria; they are told they have to pretend to be married.  Their assignment is to steal a secret weapon held by pirates, and they arrive at an English house party, filled with a group of high-class people who are secret pirates (Wisteria Society- League of Gentlewomen Witches). Many of the heroes in the first two books (Cecilia and Ned-book 1 & Charlotte and Alex- book 2), as well as a wild group of ladies and men, who think nothing of doing dangerous things for their enjoyment. 

Alice and Daniel are determined to work together as professionals, but in a short time, the attraction between them grows, as their chemistry heats up; they know any kind of relationship is forbidden by AUNT rules. Despite the danger, they cannot resist each other, as the sexual tension between them increased.  The romance was a slow burn, but with little experience they embraced their feelings and slowly accepted that they were falling for each other. Alice and Daniel are wonderful together, as they made a great couple; it was fun to watch them slowly act on their sexual chemistry, and at the same time continue to do their job to find the weapon.

What follows is a wild fun exciting story, filled with flying houses, pirates, witches, mad scientist, spies and many dangerous situations.  To tell too much more would be spoilers, and with so much action from start to finish, you need to read this in its entirety. This was a wild escapade of a ride throughout, and this book completes the series.   The Secret Service of Tea and Treason was very well written by India Holton.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

THE SECRET SERVICE OF TEA AND TREASON by India Holton

Berkley Romance Trade Paperback Original | On sale April 18th, 2023

                              Excerpt

Three years Daniel Bixby had worked as a butler for the rogue pirate Rotten O’Riley. Three years flying a rickety, ensorcelled house at speeds one could only describe as improper, smuggling pennyroyal tea into Ireland, and washing O’Riley’s laundry. Yet after just one week in Dahlia Weekle’s service he was exhausted. Criminal life had nothing on the rigors of shopping with an aristocratic lady.

This purse-snatching offered the best entertainment he’d had since his return to London (or, to be fair, second best, since nothing could surpass yesterday’s discovery of a Utopia edition in the original Latin). Indeed, he might have stopped the hoodlum at once by using a phrase from the magical incantation that pirates employed to fly their battlehouses and witches to move small objects-O’Riley’s witch wife had taught him how to bring down a man with just one enchanted word-but it was invigorating to give chase (not to mention that witchcraft was highly secret, highly illegal-and, according to pirates, highly, er, low behavior.)

About three hundred feet along the street, he caught the thief. After a struggle, he twisted the man’s arm behind his back, relieved him of the purse, and held it out of reach.

“Thank you,” said a woman’s voice behind him.

Daniel felt the purse removed efficiently from his grip. Glancing around, he was astonished to see the lady’s maid. Time seemed oddly suspended as he stared, arrested by the sight of her. You, said something inside of him, like a memory or a dream. It had whispered to him in the dress shop but spoke louder now, as if she’d removed a mask and he could see her more clearly. Her delicate face was framed by a coiffure so severe it made him think of backboards and plain, starched undergarments-

At which point, time dropped into the pit of his stomach with a crash that sent reverberations through his entire nervous system.

“Ma’am,” he said, taking refuge in politeness even while his nerves clamored and the thief swore and kicked in an effort to get free. “It was a pleasure to be of assistance.”

“You are too kind,” she replied, her voice civil but her expression making it clear she was speaking literally. She turned and handed the purse to the thief.

Daniel blinked, trying to comprehend the evidence before his eyes. He had not been so confused since hearing Wordsworth described as a poetic genius. And confusion was dangerous in his line of work (i.e., when he felt it, other people became endangered). He twisted the thief’s arm further, causing the man to holler, and took the purse from him once more.

“I beg your pardon,” he reproved the lady’s maid.

At his somber tone she cringed, her big dark eyes filling with tears, her lashes trembling. Daniel felt like an utter cad. “Please don’t cry,” he said, holding out his hand in apology.

And she grabbed the purse in it, tugged hard, and jabbed the fingers of her free hand up into his armpit.

Daniel gasped at the sudden pain. His grip weakened, and the purse disappeared once more from his possession. The woman returned it to the thief, who took it with an attitude of bemused uncertainty.

“For goodness’ sake,” Daniel muttered. Although years of piracy had presented little opportunity for heroics, he felt certain they did not usually involve the victim attacking her rescuer. Wrenching the thief about, he snatched the purse from him and-

The woman grasped his wrist with both hands. Daniel attempted to shake her off, and she attempted to emasculate him with an upthrust of her knee, and he saved himself (and his future children) by quickly blocking her with his own knee, leading to her stomping down on his foot, and him twisting her arm, and both of them stopping abruptly to watch the thief escape along the street.

“Is that your pearl necklace he’s carrying?” Daniel asked mildly.

“Yes,” she replied.

“Oh dear.”

She shrugged. “Hopefully he won’t bite the pearls to see if they’re real. They are in fact cyanide capsules.”

As the thief turned a corner and disappeared from the narrative, Daniel released the woman. She took a careful breath, her fingers twitching at her skirt, and he frowned with concern. “Are you hurt?”

The look she gave him was such that Daniel immediately wanted to find a chalkboard and write I will not ask stupid questions one hundred times upon it.

“Yes,” she said in a quiet, terrifyingly precise voice. “I have a headache, my feet ache, and it has been six hours since my last cup of tea. Six hours! And now I even sound like her. Do you realize how much work went in to shepherding that woman into position so her purse could be stolen? How many boutiques I have endured this week? Do you realize how many conversations about penny-dreadful novels I have been forced to endure?”

“I-“

“One such conversation would be too many, but there in fact have been dozens, all mixing together into a ghastly, giggling blur. And yet there goes Putrid Pete back to his gang’s headquarters without the tracking device in Miss Tewkes’s purse, thanks to your dratted chivalry.”

“I-“

“Furthermore, what were you thinking, bringing Miss Weekle shopping on Bond Street today? Her servants coordinate with Miss Tewkes’s servants so as to ensure the ladies never meet. The last time they did, there was a fracas over a parasol, and Miss Weekle’s footman ended up with his nose broken. You have disrupted everything. Therefore I say good afternoon, sir. This ends our acquaintance.”

And grabbing the purse from him, she turned and marched away.

Daniel stared dazedly after her. His memory was shouting for attention . . . His body, however, drowned it out with a hot, uncomfortable throbbing. Perhaps he had strained something in his fight with the thief. He would have to consult a medical encyclopedia this evening.

The woman took an unrelenting course along the footpath, obliging more genteel ladies to leap out of her way. She moved with the dangerous grace of someone entirely aware of her surroundings and entirely unafraid. He watched her, knowing she would know that he did.

And for the first time in living memory, Daniel Bixby grinned.

Excerpted from The Secret Service of Tea and Treason by India Holton Copyright © 2023 by India Holton. Excerpted by permission of Berkley. All rights reserved.

 

 

 

THE READING CAFE & BERKLEY ROMANCE are graciously offering a paper copy of THE SECRET SERVICE OF TEA AND TREASON to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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The Cuban Heiress by Chanel Cleeton-a review

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The Cuban Heiress by Chanel Cleeton-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 11, 2023

In 1934, a luxury cruise becomes a fight for survival as two women’s pasts collide on a round-trip voyage from New York to Havana in New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton’s page-turning new novel inspired by the true story of the SS Morro Castle.

New York heiress Catherine Dohan seemingly has it all. There’s only one problem. It’s a lie. As soon as the Morro Castle leaves port, Catherine’s past returns with a vengeance and threatens her life. Joining forces with a charismatic jewel thief, Catherine must discover who wants her dead—and why.

Elena Palacio is a dead woman. Or so everyone thinks. After a devastating betrayal left her penniless and on the run, Elena’s journey on the Morro Castle is her last hope. Steeped in secrecy and a burning desire for revenge, her return to Havana is a chance to right the wrong that has been done to her—and her prey is on the ship.

As danger swirls aboard the Morro Castle and their fates intertwine, Elena and Catherine must risk everything to see justice served once and for all.

••••

REVIEW: THE CUBAN HEIRESS by Chanel Cleeton is an adult, historical fictionalized account of the 1934 disaster near Asbury Park for the cruise ship The SS Morro Castle. THE CUBAN HEIRESS focuses on New York Heiress Catherine Dohan and her fiancé Raymond, Cuban born Elena Palacio, and passenger Harry.

Told from first person (Catherine) and third person (Elena), THE CUBAN HEIRESS follows four passengers on a cruise ship heading to Cuba: New York Heiress Catherine Dohan and her fiancé Raymond, Cuban born Elena Reyes, and passenger Harry but all is not well in the lives of the foursome, as a series of mishaps and problems begin to spiral out of control. Catherine Dohan is engaged to wealthy businessman Raymond after a whirlwind romance but Catherine isn’t whom she claims to be. Her fiancé Raymond leaves Catherine to her own devices but a series of mysterious events including an attack on her life pushes Catherine into the arms of someone else. Meeting a sympathetic stranger who clearly knows the type of man Catherine is about to marry begins to reveal some secrets she knew nothing about.

Meanwhile, Cuban born Elena Palacio is looking for revenge against the man that all but destroyed her life. Believed to have died in a house fire, Elena is desperate to retaliate and take back her life but she will need the help of people on board. Having stowed away on the SS Morro Castle, Elena sets into motion her plans for vengeance and survival.

THE CUBAN HEIRESS is a fictionalized account of the fire and destruction of the SS Morro Castle. The characters and events are from the mind of author Chanel Cleeton set on the ill-fated journey of a ship with some questionable history including the unexplained death of the captain at sea. We are pulled into a story of mystery and suspense, theft and murder, fire and destruction, survival and loss. The dramatic premise is intriguing and entertaining; the characters are animated, tragic and impassioned.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Velma Gone Awry (Brooklyn 8 Ballo Mystery) by Matt Cost-a review

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Velma Gone Awry (Brooklyn 8 Ballo Mystery) by Matt Cost-a review

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 12,2023

8 Ballo’s mother was certain he was going to be born a girl, but when he comes out a boy, she writes down simply the number 8, as he has seven older siblings. She meant to change it to a real name at some point but never got around to it.

Now, in his mid-thirties, 8 is a college educated man, a veteran of the Great War, jilted in love, and has his own private investigator business. He enjoys his friends, a good book, jazz music, and a very simple life. When he is hired to find the young flapper daughter of a German businessman, life suddenly becomes much more complicated.

•••••

REVIEW: VELMA GONE AWRY is the first instalment in Matt Cost’s historical, adult BROOKLYN 8 BALLO noir mystery, crime series set in the roaring 20s, focusing on Brooklyn PI 8 Ballo.

Told from limited omniscient third person perspective VELMA GONE AWRY focuses on the search for twenty-something heiress and ‘flapper’ Velma Hartmann. Velma has gone missing, and her well-connected father is desperate for her return so Fritz Hartmann hires private investigator 8 Ballo to find and return his wayward girl but from the outset 8 Ballo finds himself facing down gangsters and mobsters during the Prohibition era of the roaring 20s, mobsters that are also looking for the same woman as our story line hero.

VELMA GONE AWRY is a ‘noir’ detective novel set in the 1920s during the American Prohibition era where speakeasies and jazz clubs are all the rage, hiding the criminal activity of gangsters and mobsters behind music and illegal booze. Matt Cost pulls the reader into a who’s who of the early twentieth century famous and infamous: Arnold Rothstein, Bugsy Siegal and Myer Lansky, Dorothy Parker, F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Jay Gatsby, Al Jolson, George Gershwin and baseball great Babe Ruth. We are up close and personal with movie stars, singers, writers and poets, professional sports stars, as well as famous landmarks and speakeasies, and the big names in organized crime including several members of The Five Points Gang. The racism and discrimination of the 1920s is front and center as a world at war creates a war on the streets between anyone and everyone deemed not of their kind.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and ‘familiar’ secondary and supporting characters many of whom have been written about, and starred in our history books and theater. We are introduced to 8 Ballo’s best friend, African American businessman Pearle Hill.

VELMA GONE AWRY is a fast paced, action packed story of secrets and lies, power and control, murder and mayhem, crime and punishment. The character driven premise is twisted and dramatic; the characters are edgy and passionate.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Over the years, Cost has owned a video store, a mystery bookstore, and a gym. He has also taught history and coached just about every sport imaginable.

Cost now lives in Brunswick, Maine, with his wife, Harper. There are four grown children: Brittany, Pearson, Miranda, and Ryan. A chocolate Lab and a basset hound round out the mix. He now spends his days at the computer, writing.

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The Countess by Sophie Jordan-Review and Giveaway

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The Countess ( The Scandalous Ladies of London 1) by Sophie Jordan-Review and Giveaway

 

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 28, 2023

The Scandalous Ladies of London chronicles the lives of a group of affluent ladies reigning over glittering, Regency-era London, vying for position in the hierarchy of the ton. They are the young wives, widows, and daughters of London’s wealthiest families. The drama is big, the money runs deep, and the shade is real. Life is different in the ton.

“My husband is a good man… just ask all the women he has bedded.”

Wealthy society maven Lady Gertrude knows how the world works. If her husband is less than faithful, it’s an acceptable price to pay for her coveted position at the apex of London’s most fashionable set. No exclusive soirée or lavish ball is complete without her and her group of decadent, well-connected friends. And this Season promises more excitement than usual: Tru is launching her daughter into Society, helping her navigate the cutthroat Marriage Mart, complete with fortune hunters, jealous debutantes, and malicious gossips.

As skilled as Tru is at playing the high-stakes games of the ton, she never expects to meet her match—until Jasper Thorne begins to court her daughter. Jasper needs a titled bride, but when he meets Tru, all his carefully laid plans go up in smoke. The attraction between Tru and Jasper is undeniable…and unacceptable. To indulge in an affair with her daughter’s suitor would be ruinous. If it becomes public, she’ll never survive the scandal. Especially as it becomes clear that he wants more than one night…he wants the impossible. He wants forever.

A sizzling story of scandalous ladies, irresistible temptation, and the dangers—and joys—of being true to yourself.

••••

REVIEW:Lady Gertrude “Tru” to fault and close friends is a lady of London society. She cares deeply for her children, she just doesn’t care for her husband (who is a well known adulterer!) it was a price to pay in those days, divorce was frowned upon and most ladies were ostracized! So Tru turned a blind eye and concentrated on her children and her “Ton” reputation. A ball or soirée wasn’t complete without her attending……

Jasper is a widower and in need of a “mother” to his children! A lady of the society would see his daughter being accepted and then wooed by the right kind of gentleman, so he sets his sights on the lovely young lady Delia….

Tru and Jasper meet at a seance and the again in the garden, there is a small spark of interest, but she’s a married woman and older (not much) than him!

But to accept Jasper’s offer would be scandalous! Her reputation would be ruined! And it would break her daughters heart! No! She must resist, but Jasper is determined to have his forever with Tru!

This is the first book of a new series and new author for me. I’m excited to read the next book.

It’s really well written and thought out. The characters are great, Gertrude is my favourite character. She’s in a loveless marriage, she turns a blind eye to her husbands numerous affairs, but makes a stand when her husband intends to “sell” his daughter to the highest bidder! She shows her compassion for her friends, and her love for her children.

And Jasper at first didn’t rate very high in my estimation (trying to seduced a married woman!) but he’s heart wants what it wants, and his determination to win Tru, finally won me over.

If you’re not a big fan of adulterer’s, then you might be a little disappointed with the main female character, although in her defence she does resist for most of the book. It’s not high on spice, but it’s full of drama, a few twists, and a little angst, but it is a great story, with really likeable characters.

Copy supplied for review

 Reviewed by Julie B

SOPHIE JORDAN grew up in the Texas hill country where she wove fantasies of dragons, warriors, and princesses. A former high school English teacher, she’s the New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author of more than twenty novels. She now lives in Houston with her family. When she’s not writing, she spends her time overloading on caffeine (lattes preferred), talking plotlines with anyone who will listen (including her kids), and cramming her DVR with anything that has a happily ever after.

AUTHOR LINKS

Website http://www.sophiejordan.net/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sophiejordanauthor/
Twitter https://www.twitter.com/SoVerySophie
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sosophiejordan/
Goodreads https://goo.gl/jbJNT9
Amazon http://amzn.to/2BLceES

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A Sinister Revenge by Deanna Raybourn – a Review

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A Sinister Revenge by Deanna Raybourn – a Review

 

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Description:
Veronica’s natural-historian beau, Stoker, has been away in Bavaria for months and their relationship is at an impasse. But when Veronica shows up before him with his brother, Tiberius, Lord Templeton-Vane, he is lured back home by an intriguing job offer: preparing an iguanodon for a very special dinner party.
 
Tiberius has received a cryptic message—along with the obituaries of two recently deceased members of his old group of friends, the Seven Sinners—that he too should get his affairs in order. Realizing he is in grave danger but not knowing why, he plans a reunion party for the remaining Sinners at his family estate to lure the killer out while Veronica and Stoker investigate.
 
As the guests arrive and settle in, the evening’s events turn deadly. More clues come to light, leading Veronica, Stoker, and Tiberius to uncover a shared past among the Sinners that has led to the fatal present. But the truth might be far more sinister than what they were prepared for.

 

 

 

Review:

A Sinister Revenge by Deanna Raybourn is the 8th book in her Veronica Speedwell Mystery series.  I have not read this series, though it does read well as a standalone; but would have probably been better to have read some of the more previous books.

Veronica Speedwell, our heroine, is a very good amateur sleuth, in historian times.  In the last book, she and her lover, Stoker broke up, and she has been helping his brother, Tiberius on an assignment.  Now, Tiberius wants her help, and also Stoker’s; seems someone is sending threatening cryptic messages regarding a death from twenty years ago.   On that day, twenty years ago, Tiberious hosted friends at his family estate, they called themselves the Seven Sinners; and one member of their party died due to an accident. In present time, Tiberius decides to bring back members of their group to his estate for a reunion party; especially after reading the obituaries of two members of the Seven Sinners.  Tiberius knows someone is out to kill him, and together with Veronica, Stoker, and a younger brother, they welcome the group, with their wives.

What follows is a slow burn story, with Veronica and Stoker still at odds, but together they are determined to discover who in this group is behind the threats, at the same time keeping a protective eye on Tiberius.  Three of the Sinners arrive; Count Pietro Salviati & his wife, Beatrice; James Maciver & his wife Augusta, and Doctor Timothy Gresham & his sister, Elspeth.  The story picks up half way through, when it gets very exciting.  There are a few twists and surprises, with one death that throws things for a loop.  Veronica begins to find clues, and just when she suspects one person, everything changes, as she comes face to face with the real killer; and Veronica’s life is in danger.  Will she survive?

A Sinister Revenge was a very good mystery, though it was a bit slow early on.  I really liked Veronica and how brave she was, as well as her independence.   As noted, the last half of the book was very exciting, with some twists and surprises along the way. A Sinister Revenge was very well written by Deanna Raybourn.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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To Tame a Warrior Princess by M.A. Abraham – a Review

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To Tame a Warrior Princess by M.A. Abraham – a Review

 

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Description:
Surrounded by a hostile environment, Shemaine has needed to fight for her very existence all of her life. Things are about to change.

Ranolf was only after revenge, not a potential bride. Nor was he about to accept one as a peace offering from a homicidal maniac. Things are not as they first seem, nor are the people who surround his prize who or what he thought.

As secrets unfurl, thoughts change, and so does the playing field. Can either side learn to live with the world that is changing around them? Or will they be forever enemies

 

 

Review:

To Tame the Warrior Princess by M.A. Abraham is a standalone novel. Shemaine, our heroine, has had a tough life, as her Father hated her, since he lost his wife during her birth.  The Father wanted to have her killed at birth, but the brother and sister, stopped their father, and from then on he treated her like garbage.   Over the years, her brother and sister brought her up, and trained her to become a powerful warrior.  With war on the horizon, her Father made plans to offer Shemaine to an enemy King, and despite help from her brother and sister, King Ranolf accepts the offer.  But to everyone’s surprise, Ranolf kills the father, as payback for the murder of his family. 

Ranolf finds himself very attracted to Shemaine, though he knows he needs to go slow with her; especially since she has always learned fight, as a warrior.  Helen, her sister, tries to convince her to open herself to Ranolf; and her brother, now King Allender is determined for Shemaine to marry Ranolf.  The relationship between Ranolf and Shemaine starts off bad, but slowly she realizes how caring Ranolf is, and a slow burn relationship will change everything for her. 

What follows is an army heading their way to start a war, and both Helen and Shemaine realizing that the visiting females have been plotting against them.   Ranolf will call his army, as well as Rogan’s to fight off the enemy.  The battle is violent, with many deaths,  but more help is on the way; and Shemaine was seriously injured.  I did like Shemaine, though I did think early she was annoying. I really liked both Helen and Allender, who protected Shemaine all her life, from their terrible father. I also loved Ranolf, who was the perfect man for Shemaine; as he was kind, caring, loving, and willing to allow her to slowly fall in love with him.  To say too much more would be spoilers.

To Tame the Warrior Princess was very well written by M.A. Abraham.  I read this story in one day, as I could not put the book down; as I really enjoyed To Tame the Warrior Princess. I wholly suggest you read this story, as it was an excellent story line.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

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