PETTICOAT DETECTIVE By Margaret Brownley

Margaret Brownley always writes entertaining novels. This is no exception. Her sense of humor shines. Laughter and mystery abound.

Jennifer Layne, alias Amy, is working undercover as a lady of ill repute. Trying to find clues to the gunny sack bandit while not having to entertain "guests" , as Ms. Lillian calls her patrons,  certainly counts as hazardous pay. Amy meets Tom Colton who is trying to clear his brother's name while he discovers who might have murdered him. Both feel the attraction for the other and that complicates matters for both.

Amy  feels she can't blow her cover but hates that Tom thinks she is a bad girl; and Tom, who is really an ex-Texas Ranger, feels drawn to Amy and berates himself while still wishing she could get out of her predicament.

There are so many opportunities for misunderstandings that create humorous situations to keep you laughing and turning pages. In addition, piquing your interest in history are the references to the Pinkerton Agency and female agents. This story makes you want to research that subject further.

 I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

THE AMISH BLACKSMITH By Mindy Starns Clark & Susan Meissner

 

 

After a very slow start, "The Amish Blacksmith" picked up steam and was a page turner at the end. You are turning pages to find out if Jake realizes what he's been missing and if he will make the right choice in time.

 

Besides the slow start, the story is told in first person which I admit is not one of my favorite tools. But Ms. Starns and Ms. Meissner do a good job not to let the story get too bogged down.

 

In fact, there is a mystery and murder for which the audience as well as Jake think they know the answer but for which  there are some surprise twists.

 

All in all, this is one read that helps pass the time when you are waiting and it is easy to pick up where you left off. I received this from Netgalley for an honest review.



AT BLUEBONNET LAKE By Amanda Cabot

 

 

At Bluebonnet Lake gets off to a slow start but like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon it evolves into a sweet romance wrapped up in some mysterious revelations that the reader has to patiently wait for.

 

Kate Sherwood meets Greg Vange at the Rainbow's End Resort that her ailing grandmother desires to return to. She mistakes him for the handyman. Greg is definitely volunteering as the resort's handyman but not because he needs the job.

 

Ms. Cabot does a great job building the relationships in her novel including the secondary one between the grandmother and another gentleman at the resort.

 

Kate's main goal in life seems to be gaining the promotion that will make her a partner in the advertising business. She has to make choices but will those choices cost her what really matters most?

 

Greg on the other hand, seems to be running away from something, but spending time with Kate and listening to her advice brings him to a pivotal point in his life as well.

 

This is a sweet romance easy to read and pick up where you left off as you wait in line or at the Doctor's office. I received this from Netgalley for an honest review.



PLAYING BY HEART by Anne Mateer

Most of the time I find I do not like a book told in the First person; but "Playing by Heart” works very well told from the perspective  of  the hero and heroine's point of view. I found myself looking forward to each chapter to see what the other was thinking during a particular incident of the story.

Ms. Lula Bowman, at the turn of the century, has an unusual profession as a University Teacher in Mathematics. Having lost her mother at a young age, her goal has been to achieve what no woman has, a Masters in Teaching Mathematics. But is she doing it for herself or for her Dad?

Suddenly, life throws a curve ball and Lula must return home to help her sister and children survive the tragic loss of her sister's husband. She finds a teaching job but it is in Music with a secondary duty of coaching the girls’ basketball team. The quandary for Lula is that she has no knowledge of basketball.

Chet Vaughn, the Math Teacher also Coaches the boys’ Basketball team. Chet has a passion for his students and for basketball. More importantly, he feels called by God to do what he does. Both he and Lula have something in common. Neither is interested in the opposite sex or marriage. But they both find their views on that subject and others change as Lula seeks Chet out to help her learn the finer art of basketball.

Playing by Heart flows like a beautifully written piece of Music played well. I loved watching Lula's and Chet's goals and needs change as their complicated relationship developed. The plot ebbs and flows and has many surprises. I highly recommend "Playing by Heart" as an enjoyable read that should fast become a favorite on your shelf.

A BRIDE IN STORE by Melissa Jagears

"A Bride in Store", the second novel, by Melissa Jagears doesn't disappoint.  If you patiently wade through the first third of the book, you'll be rewarded as the story picks up steam.

 It is obvious from the beginning when heroine, Eliza Cantrell arrives fresh off the train a mail order bride without her prospective groom in sight and victim of a train robbery, that sparks will fly between her and the town's want-to-be Doctor, proprietor of the store her missing fiance co-owns , Will Stanton.

Eliza is a strong-willed young woman with just as strong a business acumen. Though she and Will are obviously drawn to each other, Will balks at all her suggestions and struggles with his attraction as she helps him in the store. Meanwhile, her erstwhile fiance, Axel remains missing.

Several interesting characters and subplots make "A Bride in Store" an intriguing read that keeps you wanting to know what happens next. But it is the climax and culmination of the complicated relationship between Eliza and Will that shines.

This is a fine follow-up to Ms. Jagears debut novel, "A Bride for Keeps". Recommended for your kindle or bookshelf.

WITH EVERY BREATH by Elizabeth Camden

If two people ever bring out the best in each other, it is Trevor and Kate. Both are extremely competitive and passionate people--although Trevor comes across as rude, stubborn, and cold. When Kate agrees to his challenge and begins to dig deeper she discovers a man who is very passionate about the battle he is warring against Tuberculosis and ultimately passionate about her. However, Trevor has a secret he is closely guarding especially from Kate.

 With Every Breath has you holding your breath with each turn of the page as you delve into history. Ms. Camden does a superb job of intertwining her characters with the quirks of their personalities, their begrudging but growing relationship, their pasts, and a mysterious enemy. The unknown enemy stalks them with escalating incidents and bad publicity which threatens Trevor's career and research.

 A sweet read that educates and inspires one with just the right taste of romance. Above all this is a story  of faith and courage about the kind of people we all aspire to be. I highly recommend this book.

I received this book from Bethany House for an honest review.

SECOND CHANCE CINDERELLA by Carla Capshaw

Carla Capshaw's prologue to Second Chance Cinderella sets the stage for her characters, allowing us glimpses of their foundational traits. In addition, I felt more forgiving of Samuel Blackstone's abusive treatment of Rose when he meets her again because of this early flashback at Sam’s true nature and childhood relationship with Rose.  Later, one can read between the lines and see his ulterior motives of protectiveness towards Rose and notice how he always seems to be in the right place at the right time.

 Rose Smith embodies all that we find admirable about a single mother struggling to raise her child against all odds. The years since Rose and Sam parted have not been kind to Rose. And, Sam's harsh and unjust accusations only serve to fuel her mistrust and hoarding of secrets even more.

 Most of the book revolves around the second chance that presents itself to the hero and heroine to redeem their relationship. It becomes a discovering of the events that have transpired since, the righting of misunderstandings by both, and the identity and true parentage of Rose’s son. Wrapped around the historical romance package are the elements of mystery and suspense.

 Ms. Capshaw does a fantastic job of winding sinister characters and plots around the main premise of a "second chance" with spiritual insights and surprise twists at the end.

 I highly recommend this novel as being well worth your time to read and enjoy. Ms. Capshaw remains one of my all-time favorite authors.