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*

Fatal Code (The SNAP Agency Book #2) by Natalie Walters

 Book Description:  In 1964, a group of scientists called the Los Alamos Five came close to finishing a nuclear energy project for the United States government when they were abruptly disbanded. Now the granddaughter of one of those five scientists, aerospace engineer Elinor Mitchell, discovers that she has highly sensitive information on the project in her possession--and a target on her back. 

SNAP agent and former Navy cryptologist Kekoa Young is tasked with monitoring Elinor. This is both convenient since she's his neighbor in Washington, DC, and decidedly inconvenient because . . . well, he kind of likes her.

As Elinor follows the clues her grandfather left behind to a top-secret nuclear project, Kekoa has no choice but to step in. When Elinor learns he has been spying on her, she's crushed. But with danger closing in on all sides, she'll have to trust him to ensure her discoveries stay out of enemy hands.

My Thoughts: This is such an interesting story!  First of all, it's unlike any story i've ever read and secondly I love the way the author makes the story flow.

The Los Alamos Five are asked no ordered to quit what they are working on.  It's fairly hush-hush assignment.  So, they disband.

But years later the granddaughter, Elinor Mitchell, finds information that makes her pause for thought.  

First of all, it places a target on her back and secondly it's from her grandfather.  

She feels that he left this information behind is a clue to more than meets the eye.  States secrets kind of stuff.

But then Kekoa Young is given the job of following Elinor to see what she info she has obtained.  Kekoa isn't sure about tattling on Elinor because he kind of likes her.

When Elinor finds out Kekoa has been spying on her she feels deflated.  But as life would have it someone makes no bones that they want the info she has obtained.

What a grand story!  I loved the action, the romance and the danger.

New books coming soon

 

Season of My Enemy (A book in the Heroines of WWII series) by Naomi Musch

 

Book Description:  Only last year, Fannie O'Brien was considered a beauty with a brain, and her future shone bright, despite the war pounding Europe. With her father's sudden death and her brothers overseas, Fannie must now do the work of three men on their 200-acre farm until eight German prisoners arrive and, just as Fannie feared, trouble comes too. Someone seems intent on causing accidents and Fannie is certain the culprit is one of the two handsome older Germans or possibly both. Can she manage the farm, keep the prisoners in line, and hold her family together through these turbulent times?

My Thoughts:  I absolutely love the cover of this book.  I try not to pick books by their covers but this one called out to me.

And the story!  I enjoy stories about WWII and this one was not the run of the mill WWII story.

Such an unique take on not just WWII but farm life.  

Fannie O'Brien is a gutsy lady living in perilous times.  But, yet, she lives liz to the fullness trying to keep up and do her duty.

When Captain Wolfgang Klonginger everyone is suspicious of him because he is German.  And things are mysteriously happening.  Accidents that could be avoided are going on.  Making ice difficult for a few people.

Fannie O'Brien decides to take matters into her own hands She is determined to get to the bottom of this mess.

As Fannie sets out to see what is going on, despite all the work that must done at her farm, she is surprised and, maybe, a bit shocked at what she finds out.

A fantastic read with just a pinch of love, a bushel of intrigue and a dash of everyday farm life.

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

Rock Harbor Search & Rescue by Colleen Coble

  

Book Description:  In Rock Harbor Search and Rescue, a middle grade fiction novel based on Colleen Coble’s bestselling Rock Harbor series for adults, kids will enjoy the mixture of pets, adventure, suspense, and a mystery. 

Emily O’Reilly is obsessed with all things Search and Rescue. She volunteers with the team and goes on rescue missions with her stepmom. She is even selling homemade jewelry to save up for her own Search and Rescue puppy. But when an expensive necklace is stolen from a renowned jewelry artist at Rock Harbor’s fall festival and Emily is accused of the crime, it looks like she’ll never get her puppy and be able to join the Rock Harbor Search and Rescue team. 

Emily isn’t willing to give up on her Search and Rescue dreams that easily, and she sets out to find the real culprit and to restore her reputation. With a few suspects in mind, Emily is determined to uncover the truth, but she isn’t prepared for the secrets she and the Search and Rescue dogs sniff out in the process. This exciting mystery is filled with twists and turns that will keep readers on the edge of their seats and have them pining after a Search and Rescue puppy of their own!

My Thoughts:  I always enjoy a story written by Colleen Coble.  So, when I had the opportunity to read her new book with co-author Robin Caroll I knew it would be fantastic!

This is a youth read and I had to keep this in mind as I read about Emily, her dad, stepmom and siblings.  Emily's dad is very concerned about Emily being responsible for the jobs she takes on.  

As the story beings . . . Emily and her stepmom, Naomi,  are on a search & rescue mission when Emily is told that she can have her own search & rescue puppy if she can pay half the money ($150).  Emily then comes up with the idea to sell her homemade jewelry at the next community wide sale.  This is where the mystery "happens."

Of course, as an adult I was slightly put out with Emily's dad . . . didn't he trust her?  But then I remembered that the authors are trying to make a point with young readers that parents are there to guide and help their children.

I loved learning about search & rescue dogs and their owners with a mystery thrown in!  I kind.of knew who was behind the theft but I think younger readers will be kept guessing.  I, also, liked the idea that Emily had to pay half for the expensive dog.  A great lesson in not living the "entitled life."

This is a great read for ages 8-11 (but adults and older teens may love it too!  I did!).

• Age Range: 8 - 11 years
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400321069
• ISBN-13: 978-1400321063