by admin | Apr 9, 2015 | Books, England, Gothic Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
Recently I have had the pleasure of reading several Christian novels with the Gothic romance style I loved so much when I was younger and before I discovered Christian fiction. In my opinion this genre has been rather sparse in Christian fiction until just lately and I am so happy to once again indulge in a bit of deliciously dark reading with no fear of encountering offensive material. “Mist of Midnight” fits perfectly into that category and in my opinion Sandra Byrd has nailed it.
What could be worse than returning home from the mission field of India, alone in the world after barely escaping with your life and witnessing unspeakable horrors? What if you found that home was no longer your home because an imposter had taken your place before dying and leaving everyone to believe that you are actually the imposter? That is the position Rebecca Ravenshaw found herself in and her prospects did not look at all promising. Fortunately her distant relative, Captain Luke Whitfield who had inherited everything, took pity on her and allowed her to live at Headbourne House until pertinent questions were resolved to his satisfaction.
The plot moved along at the perfect pace for a novel of this type with an appropriately dark and brooding atmosphere. Mysterious and dangerous events as well ambiguous characters who were difficult to pin down kept me invested in the story until its end. Quite a few surprises were in store along the way but I was happy with its conclusion. I particularly liked how the author adeptly wove an uncompromised message of faith into the narrative without having it overwhelm the story.
I enjoyed “Mist of Midnight” very much and look forward to “Bride of Poseidon” and “Angels of Light”, future installments of the Daughters of Hampshire series. They cannot be published soon enough for me!
by admin | Apr 9, 2015 | Books, Mystery, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“Deception on Sable Hill” is the second book in Gray’s A Chicago World’s Fair Mystery series. Featuring Eloisa Carstairs whose story began in the first book of the series, “Secrets of Sloane House”, this book introduces some new characters but the reader will also recognize a few familiar faces along the way. This narrative is set against the backdrop of the World’s Fair where a killer is preying on young society women and somehow Eloisa has found herself right in the middle of the mystery.
Eloisa carries a secret of her own. Although an innocent victim, her secret could destroy her reputation as well as her chances for an acceptable marriage. She has managed to keep her secret to herself until she met Detective Sean Ryan. Although Sean can never hope to have a relationship with Eloisa because they are on different levels of society, he has determined to protect her at all costs.
Easy to relate to and realistic characters paired well with an imaginative plot that had plenty of twists and surprises to keep me on my toes. I was firmly convinced that the killer was one person but I was 100% wrong about that. I was actually relieved because as the story progressed I began to like the person I suspected. In fact, I am in hopes that this particular person will play a major role in the next book of the series. I am not naming names because that could lead to spoiling another’s fun.
I enjoyed everything about “Deception on Sable Hill” except for the fact that it was over much too soon and I will be impatient at the wait for the next installment. I enjoy everything by this author, no matter which genre she writes.
This book was provided for review by the BookLook Blogger Program of Harper Collins Christian Publishing.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The World’s Fair is nearing its end, but the danger in Chicago lingers.
It’s mid-September of 1893 and Eloisa Carstairs is the reigning beauty of Gilded Age Chicago society. To outsiders she appears to have it all. But Eloisa is living with a dark secret. Several months ago, she endured a horrible assault at the hands of Douglass Sloane, heir to one of Chicago’s wealthiest families. Fearing the loss of her reputation, Eloisa confided in only one friend. That is, until she meets Detective Sean Ryan at a high-society ball.
Sean is on the outskirts of the wealthy Chicago lifestyle. Born into a poor Irish family, becoming a policeman was his best opportunity to ensure his future security. Despite society’s restrictions, he is enamored with Eloisa Carstairs. Sean seethes inside at what he knows happened to her, and he will do anything to keep her safe-even if he can never earn her affections. .
Eloisa longs to feel normal again in the midst of the danger surrounding the Chicago World’s Fair, but a killer is on the loose. In the last month, three debutantes have been accosted in the city by an assailant wielding a stiletto. As the danger in the city increases, and as Eloisa’s and Sean’s romance blossoms, they both realize they want to be seen as more than how the world views them. But will they catch the killer before all their hopes come tumbling down?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Shelley Gray is the author of The Heart of a Hero series. Her Amish novel (written as Shelley Shepard Gray), The Protector, recently made the New York Times best seller list. A native of Texas, she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Colorado and taught school for ten years. She and her husband have two children and live in Southern Ohio. Visit her website at Facebook: ShelleyShepardGray Twitter: @ShelleySGray
by admin | Apr 9, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, FBI, Law Enforcement, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
“Double Cross” is an apt title for the newest romantic suspense from DiAnn Mills. When the man FBI agent Laurel Evertson sent to prison agrees to help solve a current case, she is afraid to trust him. Both she and the Houston Police Officer helping with the case are just a bit wary that they could be victims of a double cross. As the story progresses, it becomes difficult to determine just who is double crossing whom.
Plenty of action, danger, faith, and romance fill out the plot of this exciting novel with realistic characters and setting. The lengths the scammers were willing to go and the way they targeted elderly victims suffering from dementia could easily be found in tomorrow’s front page news. In addition to primary characters Laurel and Daniel, I found Daniel’s grandmother Abby to be a major competitor for center of attention. What a brave and spunky woman who was not willing to give up easily.
I thoroughly enjoyed “Double Cross” and highly recommend it as well as any other novel by DiAnn Mills.
This book was provided for review by The Tyndale Blog Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
FBI Agent Laurel Evertson’s investigation into a scam targeting the elderly takes an unexpected twist when key evidence leads her to Morton Wilmington, a felon she arrested five years ago on her first undercover assignment. That case has haunted her since, and though she’s vowed to forget Wilmington—and what she sacrificed to put him away—he is now her best lead.
Houston Police Officer Daniel Hilton fears his grandparents may be the scammer’s next targets, and he’ll do anything to protect his family—even force interagency cooperation. But he’s quickly drawn to Laurel’s empathy and zeal and agrees to follow her lead . . . even if it means teaming up with a felon.
As the unlikely trio uncovers evidence suggesting the scam is more extensive and deadly than they imagined, both Laurel and Daniel find themselves in the crosshairs of a killer. Together they must decide if they can trust Wilmington’s claims of redemption, or if he’s leading them straight into a double cross.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
by admin | Apr 9, 2015 | Books, Gilded Age, Historical, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
I am not certain exactly how I started reviewing Dawn Crandall’s Everstone Chronicles but I am so thankful I have had the opportunity to do so. Each volume has gotten progressively better – or maybe it’s just because I have become so familiar with the characters and setting of these books that it seems that way. Dawn writes the kind of books that I truly enjoy. Each one has grabbed my attention from the beginning and held it until the end. My only regret is that at this time, I am unable to get print copies for my keeper shelf.
As “The Captive Imposter” begins, Estella Everstone has been compelled by her family to go undercover as companion to an elderly lady. Estella despises the deception and misses some of the luxuries of her “real” life, especially her clothing. As she settles into a routine at the luxury resort Everston, Estella becomes acquainted with its handsome manager Dexter Blakele. As their friendship develops, Estella finds a new freedom to be herself that she has never experienced before.
With a well-paced plot and true-to-life characters, “The Captive Imposter” was difficult to put down. It was a perfect blend of drama, mystery, and romance spiced with just the right touch of twists and surprises. A strong Christian message was a natural and integral part of the story without being in-your-face. I liked the glimpse of a possibly more mature and reformed Vance near the end that makes me wish for another novel featuring him as a main character.
I have never had the slightest desire to even visit Maine but Dawn’s description of the series setting could make me reconsider.
I enjoyed “The Captive Imposter” as well as the rest of The Everstone Chronicles. Do yourself a favor and give this excellent new author a try.
A digital copy of this book was provided for review by the author.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Sent away for protection, hotel heiress Estella Everstone finds herself living undercover as a lady’s companion named Elle Stoneburner at one of her father’s opulent hotels in the mountains of Maine—the one she’d always loved best and always hoped to own one day, Everston. The one thing she doesn’t like about the situation is that her ex-fiancé is in the area and is set on marrying someone else. Reeling from her feelings of being unwanted and unworthy, Estella reluctantly forms a friendship with the gruff manager of Everston, Dexter Blakeley, who seems to have something against wealthy young socialites with too much money, although they are just the kind of people Everston caters to.
When Estella finds herself in need of help, Dexter comes to the rescue with an offer she can’t refuse. She sees no other choice aside from going back home to her family and accepts the position as companion to his sister. Throughout her interactions with Dexter, she can’t deny the pull that’s evidenced between them every time he comes near. Estella realizes that while she’s been hiding behind a false name and identity, she’s never been freer to be herself than when she’s with Dexter Blakeley. But will he still love her when he finds out she’s Estella Everstone? She’s not entirely sure.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dawn Crandall is the author of The Hesitant Heiress (released August 1, 2014).A graduate of Taylor University with a degree in Christian Education, and a former bookseller at Barnes & Noble, Dawn Crandall didn’t begin writing until 2010 when her husband found out about her long-buried dream of writing a book. Without a doubt about someday becoming published, he encouraged her to quit her job in 2010 in order to focus on writing The Hesitant Heiress. It didn’t take her long to realize that writing books was what she was made to do. Dawn is represented by Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary.
by admin | Apr 9, 2015 | Books
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingMist of MidnightHoward Books (March 10, 2015)bySandra Byrd
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
After earning her first rejection at the age of thirteen, bestselling author Sandra Byrd has now published more than forty books. Her adult fiction debut, Let Them Eat Cake, was a Christy Award finalist, as was her first historical novel, To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn. To Die For was also named by Library Journal as a Best Books Pick for 2011 and The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr, was named a Library Journal Best Books Pick for 2012. The Tudor series’ end cap, Roses Have Thorns: A Novel of Elizabeth I published in April, 2013.
A life-long lover of Victorian Gothic romances, Sandra’s new series, Daughters of Hampshire, weaves elements of that mystical, traditional genre with inspirational and literary threads. Mist of Midnight, the series’ first book, debuts in March, 2015.
Sandra has also published dozens of books for tweens and teens, and is passionate about helping new authors develop their talent and their work toward traditional or independent publication. As such, she has mentored and coached hundreds of new writers and continues to coach dozens to success each year.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
In the first of a brand-new series set in Victorian England, a young woman returns home from India after the death of her family to discover her identity and inheritance are challenged by the man who holds her future in his hands.
Rebecca Ravenshaw, daughter of missionaries, spent most of her life in India. Following the death of her family in the Indian Mutiny, Rebecca returns to claim her family estate in Hampshire, England. Upon her return, people are surprised to see her…and highly suspicious. Less than a year earlier, an imposter had arrived with an Indian servant and assumed not only Rebecca’s name, but her home and incomes.
That pretender died within months of her arrival; the servant fled to London as the young woman was hastily buried at midnight. The locals believe that perhaps she, Rebecca, is the real imposter. Her home and her father’s investments reverted to a distant relative, the darkly charming Captain Luke Whitfield, who quickly took over. Against her best intentions, Rebecca begins to fall in love with Luke, but she is forced to question his motives—does he love her or does he just want Headbourne House? If Luke is simply after the property, as everyone suspects, will she suffer a similar fate as the first “Rebecca”?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Mist of Midnight, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
Recently I have had the pleasure of reading several Christian novels with the Gothic romance style I loved so much when I was younger and before I discovered Christian fiction. In my opinion this genre has been rather sparse in Christian fiction until just lately and I am so happy to once again indulge in a bit of deliciously dark reading with no fear of encountering offensive material. “Mist of Midnight” fits perfectly into that category and in my opinion Sandra Byrd has nailed it.
What could be worse than returning home from the mission field of India, alone in the world after barely escaping with your life and witnessing unspeakable horrors? What if you found that home was no longer your home because an imposter had taken your place before dying and leaving everyone to believe that you are actually the imposter? That is the position Rebecca Ravenshaw found herself in and her prospects did not look at all promising. Fortunately her distant relative, Captain Luke Whitfield who had inherited everything, took pity on her and allowed her to live at Headbourne House until pertinent questions were resolved to his satisfaction.
The plot moved along at the perfect pace for a novel of this type with an appropriately dark and brooding atmosphere. Mysterious and dangerous events as well ambiguous characters who were difficult to pin down kept me invested in the story until its end. Quite a few surprises were in store along the way but I was happy with its conclusion. I particularly liked how the author adeptly wove an uncompromised message of faith into the narrative without having it overwhelm the story.
I enjoyed “Mist of Midnight” very much and look forward to “Bride of Poseidon” and “Angels of Light”, future installments of the Daughters of Hampshire series. They cannot be published soon enough for me!
