Cold Case Murder by Shirlee McCoy

My Thoughts:  Sometimes I just love a cold case mystery.  And Shirley McCoy does not disappoint.

Loomis, Louisiana is one tight lipped town.  When Jodie Gilmore tries to find out what happened in this cold case murder mystery she is bombarded at every turn.  It seems that Harrison Cahill, the forensic anthropologist thinks Jodie knows more than she does.

Can Jodie and Harrison solve this seemingly impossible case?  

This is a fantabulous suspense and mystery case with a little romance thrown in.  

Makes a great beach read!

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

I found this delightful yummy lemon cookie on allrecipes.com

Lemon cookies are a summertime treat!

INGREDIENTS:

1 (18.25 ounce) package lemon cake mix 2 eggs 1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon lemon extract 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar for decoration

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2.	Pour cake mix into a large bowl. Stir in eggs, oil, and lemon extract until well blended. Drop teaspoonfuls of dough into a bowl of confectioners' sugar. Roll them around until they're lightly covered. Once sugared, put them on an ungreased cookie sheet.
3.	Bake for 6 to 9 minutes in the preheated oven. The bottoms will be light brown, and the insides chewy.

Rebecca (Daughters of the Lost Colony 1607) by Shannon McNear

 

 Book Description:  Born the daughter of a Powhatan chieftain and a woman of unknown origins, Mato'aka enjoys a carefree life. When strange men from across the eastern waters appear near her home, she regards them at first as a mere curiosity. Soon, though, she finds herself torn between friendship with one of their leaders and the opinions and politics of her elders. Drawn to a young Englishman, John Rolfe, who has lost a wife and baby daughter, she shares his griefs. . .and perhaps something more. Could she have a future among the English of Jamestown, accepting their ways and even changing her name? Could her fate be a part of the lasting legacy of the Lost Colony of Roanoke?

My Thoughts: Not being a history buff I found this book of historical romance fascinating.  I'd heard of the lost colony of Roanoke but never really thought about it but what if? What is the Powhatan chief had a daughter?  Would the princess be interested in marrying John Rolfe, the Englishman who lost his wife and daughter.

Mato'aka enjoys the carefree life as a chiefs daughter then along comes the  Englishman, John Rolfe, and her life suddenly changes.  Changes she never thought about.  Such as can she fit into the English way of life?  Does she want to fit into the English way of life?  What is life with a man outside of the tribe?

The author did a fantastic job of writing about a "hard" subject.  There seem to be so many "what ifs" surrounding this historical but, yet, fascinating subject of the Lost Colony.

Whether you're a history buff or not you'll find this historical romance fascinating and it may just grab your heart strings.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review."

A Dangerous Stage {Protection for Hire} by Camy Tang

 My Thoughts:  I loved the first book in this series Protection for Hire.  Now A Dangerous Stage is, again, about Tessa, but enter the lawyer, Charles Britton.  Charles is the lawyer who sent Tessa to prison (for a crime she didn't commit).  

Tessa's faith is tried, for it seems that lies abound everywhere she turns after she is hired by one of the contestants to delve into a shady singing competition.

Now, I REALLY love Camy Tang's books because they have a lot of action mixed with mounds of faith!  Camy isn't preachy but she gets the point across.  A lot like Tessa who lives her faith!

Tessa is one tough lady but she has a soft center just like a wonderful chocolate, caramel truffle but that tough exterior makes her seem like an iron maiden.   

I wasn't sure about Charles...can a "wimpy" lawyer truly help a feisty lady like Tessa?!  Will Charles really stand "tough?"  These were a couple of questions I had when Tessa meets up with Charles.

I must say that I enjoyed A Dangerous Stage even more than I enjoyed reading Protection for Hire.

One doesn't need to read Protection for Hire before reading A Dangerous Stage but reading the first book will help in understanding Tessa and her mafia family.

This is one great read!

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310320348
• ISBN-13: 978-0310320340

Fun Friday!

 

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

The Bachelor Spy: A Freddie and Grace Mystery Volume 5 by Pepper Basham

 Book Description:  Stephen Blake's life goal is to protect people, especially those closest to him, but war in 1914 England doesn’t follow any rules. When Blake is informed that a noted German spy may have taken up residence at Havensbrooke Hall—his cousin Lord Astley’s estate, which is being used as a convalescent war hospital—he’s sent there to uncover the plot.

Lady Grace Astley has become a force to be reckoned with while Frederick is out on the war front. With Havensbrooke as a hospital, she’s shocked by the devastation the war is bringing home; but ever hopeful, she is determined to help these weary soldiers find some relief. However, not everything is as it seems inside Havensbrooke. Precious items soon start disappearing. . .and not just the kind that are worth a lot of money.

Through a case of mistaken identity, a comedy of errors, a kidnapping, and a race for time within the crumbling subterranean passageways beneath Havensbrooke, can Blake and Gracie work together to root out the criminals, thieves, and spies before time runs out?

My Thoughts:  The Bachelor Spy is one story that will not disappoint.  I love books authored by Pepper Basham.  She has a way with words that just captures the reader's imagination from page one.

Stephen Blake is a protector, a spy of sorts. A good man during a horrible time in history.

Then there's Lady Grace.  Rules weren't made for Lady Grace. Lady Grace makes the rules!

There is so much in this story.  So many factions.  So much going on that the reader is never bored.  In fact, before reading carve out time to read because you won't want to put this story down.

I love reading about wars especially WWI and WWII. This book takes place at the beginning of WWI in England.

Stephen Blake is one of those heroes whose cape seems invisible.  He goes around protecting people without their knowing it.  Then he meets Lady Grace and the action begins.  Lady Grace (aka Gracie) and Stephen make a wonderful couple.  

I love the names...Stephen Blake finds out that the Midnight Angel is passing information to the enemy.  He casually takes care of the mission.  Stephen is cool as a cucumber.  

But then he and Gracie make a couple of booboos and then there's a race against time.  Will Stephen and Gracie be able to clear all the trouble that's all around them?

Such a fantastic read!!  

So join me in reading The Bachelor Spy today:

*This book was provided for review by Barbour*