Beneath His Silence by Hannah Linder

Book Description:  Second daughter of a baron—and a little on the mischievous side—Ella Pemberton is no governess. But the pretense is a necessity if she ever wishes to get inside of Wyckhorn Manor and attain the truth. Exposing the man who killed her sister is all that matters.           Lord Sedgewick knows there’s blood on his hands. Lies have been conceived, then more lies, but the price of truth would be too great. All he has left now is his son—and his hatred. Yet as the charming governess invades his home, his safe cocoon of bitterness begins to tear away.         Could Ella, despite the lingering questions of his guilt, fall in love with such a man? Or is she falling prey to him—just as her dead sister?

My Thoughts:  It's been a long time since I've read a gothic style romance.  And this one did not disappoint.  Of course, this is a new to me author also.

When I first began reading this story it reminded me of Withering Heights. Not the story line just the era.

There's a bit of a mystery involved and relationships.  Difficult relationships.  Relationships that need health and healing.

Ella Pemberton is determined to expose the ruthless man who killed her sister.  Her sister's husband, Lord Sedgwick.  Oddly enough Lord Sedgwick knows he is innocent.  He's not sure when or where the rumors began that he killed his precious wife but he's like to put one end to it.

When the new governess comes to teach his son he admittedly begins to like her.  But she is a handful.

Since Ella has the job of governess she decides once and for all get to the bottom of her sister's death.

This is a fantastic story and well written.  Loved the descriptions of the era and all it entails.

*This book was provided for review by Barbour Publishing*

A Time to Stand by Robert Whitlow

 

Book Description:  In a small Georgia town where racial tensions run high and lives are at stake, can one lawyer stand up for justice against the tide of prejudice on every side?

Adisa Johnson, a young African-American attorney, is living her dream of practicing law with a prestigious firm in downtown Atlanta. Then a split-second mistake changes the course of her career.

Left with no other options, Adisa returns to her hometown where a few days earlier a white police officer shot an unarmed black teen who is now lying comatose in the hospital.

Adisa is itching to jump into the fight as a special prosecutor, but feels pulled to do what she considers unthinkable—defend the officer.

As the court case unfolds, everyone in the small community must confront their own prejudices. Caught in the middle, Adisa also tries to chart her way along a path complicated by her budding relationship with a charismatic young preacher who leads the local movement demanding the police officer answer for his crime.

My Thoughts: 

Interesting how an author will write a fiction story about a current event in our world.  I think authors like to voice their opinions through a story.  

In any event, this is quite an interesting story.

Adisa Johnson is a young African-American attorney who enjoys living her dream of practicing law in Atlanta.

However, Adisa returns to her small Georgia hometown where racial tensions are flying high because a white police officer shot an unarmed black teen who is comatose in a hospital.  But Adisa must consider what she believes/stands for because she is to defend the police officer who shot the teen.

And she is in a budding romance with a charismatic young preacher who is demanding that the local police officers make this a crime and punish the police office who shot the black teen. 

This story is more about emotions and how people, no matter what the skin color, can be racist.

This is a think.about.it.read . . .  what one really values and what one really believes is right no matter what ones skin color may be

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0718083032
• ISBN-13: 978-0718083038

Fun Friday

 

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

 Easy, make ahead taco salad for a quick lunch.

Brown hamburger with seasonings, place tomatoes, cheese and 

sour cream in individual cartons, add lettuce in a baggie.

Follow picture for put together, refrigerate and grab and go for lunch.

Life In Chapel Springs by Anne Mulligan

  

The Story BehindLife in Chapel Springs

by Ane Mulligan

The most asked question I get is what prompted this story. Why Lacey? Why the accident and reconstruction? I’m a visual writer, so I need photos. When I start out with a new book (in this case the series), I find photos of people who look like the character I’m imagining. I use magazines and keep files of faces I’ve torn out of them. While looking for Lacey, I came across two photos appearing almost like a before and after of the same woman.

The resemblance was striking and sparked the “what if” that became Lacey’s story. Many women have life-altering surgery, whether elective, emergency, or life-saving. My research included interviewing a plastic surgeon and a psychologist, so I could be sure I had the psyche right and the surgery results correct. You see, often—more often than not—women have a difficult time with the results of these life-altering surgeries. A high percentage dislike the “new” self. It doesn’t match the image we women tend to carry inside us.

I still had one problem. The character Lacey was a shy, quiet young woman—so shy and quiet, she wasn’t even talking to me! I had to sit on her story for three years. Finally, after two more Chapel Springs books, Lacey “talked” to me. I understood her and could write her story. Maybe she was ready to tell it. 

What both Lacey and I both hope women will take away from her story in Life in Chapel Springs is that each of us is uniquely made by God, and as Great Aunt Lola used to say, “God don’t make no junk.”

About Life in Chapel Springs:

Life in Chapel Springs has turned upside down and inside out.

Shy Lacey Dawson was happily writing murder mysteries for the community theater with her eye on Broadway. Then, a freak accident results in traumatic injuries requiring facial reconstruction. When the bandages come off, Lacey’s world is tuned inside out. Will Chapel Springs rally behind its own … or will life unravel?

Is it a midlife pregnancy or … cancer? Claire will keep her secret until she’s sure—but it isn’t easy. Neither is trying to buy a home pregnancy test without anyone finding out. Between her twins’ double wedding, the caterer cancelling, a looming nationwide art tour and her health, Claire’s life is upside down. 

Gold has been discovered in Chapel Springs and the ensuing fever is rising. Then Mayor Riley discovers someone has bought the mineral rights to his land. A stranger and his nefarious investors set out to buy all the homes in Chapel Springs and mine the gold. Will life in Chapel Springs become the tailings of a gold mine?

About Ane Mulligan:

While a large, floppy straw hat is her favorite, award-winning author Ane Mulligan has worn many: hairdresser, legislative affairs director (that's a fancy name for a lobbyist), CEO of a Community Theatre group, playwright, humor columnist, and novelist. She firmly believes coffee and chocolate are two of the four major food groups. Ane resides in Sugar Hill, GA, with her artist husband. You can find her on her website, Amazon Author page, Novel Rocket, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Google+.

Labyrinth of Lies, #2 By Irene Hannon

 

 Book Description:  When the daughter of a high-profile businessman disappears from an exclusive girls' boarding school, police detective Cate Reilly is tapped for an undercover assignment. It doesn't take her long to realize that beneath the veneer of polish and wealth, things are not as they seem at Ivy Hill Academy. But the biggest surprise of all? The only man she ever loved is also working at the school.

Zeke Sloan has never forgotten Cate, but now isn't the best time for their paths to cross again. When their two seemingly disparate agendas begin to intertwine--and startling connections emerge among the players--the danger escalates significantly. But who is the mastermind behind the elaborate ruse? And how far will they go to protect their house of cards?

My Thoughts:  I love this story!  I love the characters, the romance and the mystery.  And such an intriguing book cover.  Looks so gothic and suspenseful.

This is the second book in A Triple Threat Novel.  But never fear for these can be read out of order.  

The undercover assignment that Cate Reilly takes on is quite interesting especially since I love education.  But this posh Ivy Hill academy seems a bit sinister and why take a business man's daughter?  This is the mystery.

Cate Reilly is undercover at the Ivy Hill Academy and lo and behold, Zeke Sloan is also working at the posh school.  But why?  And can Cate keep her heart?  This is the romance.

Such a great story with quite a few twists and turns....twists and turns keep the reader's interest.

Fun Friday

 

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 So easy just follow picture for putting it together.

Great for parties & family get togethers.

Lost in Darkness (Of Monsters and Men) by Michelle Griep

 

 Book Description:  Travel writer Amelia Balfour’s dream of touring Egypt is halted when she receives news of a revolutionary new surgery for her grotesquely disfigured brother. This could change everything, and it does. . .in the worst possible way.

Surgeon Graham Lambert has suspicions about the doctor he’s gone into practice with, but he can’t stop him from operating on Amelia’s brother. Will he be too late to prevent the man’s death? Or to reveal his true feelings for Amelia before she sails to Cairo?

My Thoughts:  When I signed up for this blog tour I did not read the book description well or it didn't register.

So, as I began reading this novel I was expecting something ever so different.  My mistake not the author's.  

This is about Frankenstein.  Frankenstein, the title character in Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's novel Frankenstein, the prototypical “mad scientist” who creates a monster by which he is eventually killed. Lonely and miserable, the monster turns upon its creator, who eventually loses his life. 

The story begins innocently enough but as the reader continues in the story, it definitely takes on a different aura. 

This is the most unusual story but great for this time of year.  If you enjoy all things monster and kind.of.innocent then you'll love this read.

Even though this is the most unusual story, especially for a mystery/romance reader such as me, I found the story fascinating and so close to the original Frankenstein story with a few exceptions.  Unfortunately, I also found this story extremely sad.

Michelle Griep is a master story teller so you may love this novel.

A Christmas Prayer by Wanda Brunstetter

  

Book Description:  Only the brave—or foolhardy—would attempt a cross-country journey late in the season. Three wagons meet up in Independence, Missouri, in April 1850, and their owners decide to keep forging ahead despite many setbacks and delays. December finds them in the Sierra Nevada Mountains when a sudden snowstorm traps them, obscuring the trail.

Cynthia Cooper is traveling with her mother and the man she has promised to marry. But as Christmas is upon them and they are hunkered down in a small cabin, she is forced to reevaluate her reasons for planning to marry fellow-traveler Walter Prentice. When a widowed father heading to a California ranch and a gold prospector both show an interest in Cynthia, she weighs her dreams for marriage alongside her responsibility to care for her mother. Can love win over her timid heart?

My Thoughts:  I love when Christmas reads begin to make to arrive.  And when I receive a book by one of my favorite authors it's like Christmas in a mailbox.

Three wagons with a few brave souls are headed to California make a monumental trip things don't go as planned.  

The three wagons left Missouri in April but the traveling has been slow.  So, low and behold, the people find themselves in a blizzard of epic proportions as they cross the Sierra Nevadas at Christmas time.

Cynthia Cooper feels that she has a responsibility to care for her mother and she plans to marry the man who is on the wagon train with them.  But when they all have to hunker down in cabin to wait out the storm Cynthia's feelings begin to change towards her intended bridegroom.

Loved, loved this heartwarming story!

A wonderful Christmas story about changes and following your heart.

Daily Wisdom for Women By Barbour

Book Description:  You Are a Woman of God. Live Each Day in Step with the Truth of God's Word! Women will find comfort, challenge, and their spirits encouraged as they experience the encouraging wisdom of God's Word every day of 2023.

My Thoughts:  This is a devotional just for women.  And just in time for the new year.  A new start to each day.

For the year of 2023 there is a scripture and devotional readings.  Since there is one for everyday of the year you'll be encouraged by God's Word.  

This lovely smallish book is a mint green color.  At the top of every page is the day and date  then a title of the devotional in the middle of the page.  Under the title is a Scripture with the reference. then a short devotional to encourage you for the day.  At the very end is a prayer. You may read the prayer or pray it put loud.

This is a beautifully bound and hardback book which makes wonderful gift or a lovely card for someone going through a rough patch.

*This book was provided for review by Barbour Publishing*

Body of Evidence (Triple Threat) by Irene Hannon

Book Description:  Forensic pathologist Grace Reilly has seen her share of unusual deaths in rural Missouri. But when she begins to notice a curious pattern in autopsies of elderly residents whose demise appears to be natural, she takes her concerns to Sheriff Nate Cox.

Nate is skeptical about the link Grace is seeing between the deaths--and her suspicions of foul play. But her persistence is compelling. Once she finally convinces him her theory is credible and they join forces to investigate, danger follows. Because exposing the truth could destroy several lives--including Grace's.

My Thoughts:  I love to read about forensics.  And Grace Reilly is a forensic pathologist.  Forensics is an art on science and this time there is a pattern in autopsies in the elderly residents.

As Grace begins to piece together the puzzle pieces she not only sees a pattern but she notices a likely hood of murder!

Grace has to tell someone in the law what is going on so she goes to Sheriff Nate Cox who sees her evidence and doesn't quite see the link.  But as Grace is targeted in danger for her investigation Sheriff Nate comes to her rescue and then he begins to believe her.

What danger!  What a mystery!

This is one mystery in the Triple Threat trilogy that you will not want to miss!

Irene Hannon has been described as the queen of suspense and this story will convince you that she deserves the title.

What a read!

*This book was provided for review by Revell*

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

Dead Wrong by Vanetta Chapman

 

Book Description:  When Agatha Lapp’s brother and sister-in-law are tragically killed in a buggy accident, Agatha relocates to the new Amish community in Hunt Texas, nestled in the Texas Hill Country.  She’s there to make a success of her brother’s dream--an Amish B&B. Agatha is friendly, efficient, and capable. She's also a fifty-five year old widow who has learned to be independent. When she discovers Russell Dixon’s lifeless body in Cabin 3, she runs next door where retired detective Tony Vargas lives. The police determine that her guest died of natural causes, but as Agatha and Tony put together the events of the previous two days they become convinced that the police are Dead Wrong.

My Thoughts:  I love books penned by Vannetta Chapman.  I also love cozy mysteries so this book is a win-win for me.

And THIS book cover!  It speaks of simplicity but, yet, there's that red color all throughout the cover.  Do you see the little red Amish buggy to the right of the house?  And that house!  It's so big and elegant.  What a nice B&B!

Then there's the name of the B&B-Agatha's Amish B&B.  A reference to Agatha Christie maybe? 

Agatha Lapp is one fiesta Amish woman and ever.so.efficient.  If I were half as efficient as Agatha I'd have to get up pretty early in the morning to get it all done.  And she does it all with ease and grace not to mention solving a mystery.

And the setting of the story takes place in the Texas hill country.  Such a beautiful area.

This is a fun read.  Even though it's a cozy mystery the lightheartedness of the story brings the reader to a happy place of all.is.right.in.the.world.

I loved, loved this story!  

• Series: Agatha's Amish B&B (Book 1)
• Paperback: 298 pages
• Publisher: Vannetta Chapman 
• ISBN-10: 1734046007
• ISBN-13: 978-1734046007

Point of Danger (Triple Threat) by Irene Hannon

 

Book Description:  Radio talk show host Eve Reilly is used to backlash from her pot-stirring on-air commentary and interviews, but now it seems a disgruntled listener is resorting to more than angry words to express their displeasure. When a suspicious package arrives on her doorstep, Eve turns to law enforcement for help.

Police detective Brent Lange can't find any evidence to link the string of unsettling incidents that follows, but he's convinced they're connected. As the harassment grows more menacing, it becomes clear someone wants Eve's voice silenced--permanently. 

But unless he can track down her foe, fast, the gutsy woman who is willing to take risks for what she believes--and who is swiftly winning his heart--may not survive.

My Thoughts:  Irene Hannon is one of the nest suspense mystery writers in my book.

Her newest book, Point of Danger, had me literally on the edge of my chair.  At first, I thought this is easy I know who did it!  Oh so, wrong!  And that's what I like...being wrong and still guessing up to the end of the story.

Eve Riley is not only gutsy but it is truly interesting to learn about the job of a radio talk show host and how much backlash they get.  The backlash becomes more than harassment and that's when Eve begins to understand that something more sinister is behind this development from a listener.  And then the packages begin to show uo at her doorstep.

I did love, well, great like police detective, Bret Lange.  He's clear headed and follows leads with his head not his heart.  But then Eve Reilly shows up and his heart beings to listen.

This is quite a mystery.  At first it all seems so simple and point blank just as police detective Brent Lange thinks it might be but things don't begin to add up and this where the whole mystery and Suspense sets in.  

What is going on?  And why?

I loved, loved this fantastic story!

*This book was provided for review by Revell*

• tem Weight : 11.9 ounces
• Paperback : 384 pages
• ISBN-10 : 0800736176
• ISBN-13 : 978-0800736170
• P

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

Secrets She Kept by Cathy Gohlke

 

Book Description: All her life, Hannah Sterling longed for a close relationship with her estranged mother. Following Lieselotte’s death, Hannah determines to unlock the secrets of her mother’s mysterious past and is shocked to discover a grandfather living in Germany.

Thirty years earlier, Lieselotte’s father is quickly ascending the ranks of the Nazi party, and a proper marriage for his daughter could help advance his career. Lieselotte is in love―but her beloved Lukas is far from an ideal match, as he secretly works against the Reich. Yet Lieselotte never imagined how far her father would go to ensure her cooperation.

Both Hannah’s and Lieselotte’s stories unfold as Hannah travels to Germany to meet her grandfather, who is hiding wartimes secrets of his own. Longing for connection, yet shaken by all she uncovers, Hannah must decide if she can atone for her family’s tragic past and how their legacy will shape her future.

My Thoughts:  Last summer I read Saving Amelie by Cathy Gohlke and was so enthralled with the story that when this book, Secrets She Kept, came out this summer, I jumped at a chance to read it. 

My!O!My!What!A!Story!

This story takes place thirty years earlier and is more about Hannah's parents and then intermingles with Hannah's "today" life.

Hannah wants to know the secrets of her mother's past (hence the title Secrets She Kept).

Unfortunately, any time one tries to uncover a secret, the past or the secret isn't all that one will hope for nor is it always good to uncover what someone has gone through in the past.  Sometimes, people keep secrets because the hurt and hopelessness they had to go through felt too hard to share.  Or maybe, they keep a secret because they don't want to hurt their loved ones....whatever the case, Hannah uncovers more than she knew was lurking underneath the family skeletons.  

Such a poignant story! And yet, so sad that at times I felt as if my heart would break.  {This, to me, is not just the sign of a great book but the sign of a fantastic author!}  
Another fantabulous story by Cathy Gohlke!

A definite must read for all WWII fans!

• ISBN-10: 1496400801
• ISBN-13: 978-1496400802