Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass (An Exotic Pet-Sitter Mystery #1) by Heather Day Gilbert

Title: Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass (An Exotic Pet-Sitter Mystery #1)

Author: Heather Day Gilbert

Pages: 194

Year: 2019

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Kensington Books / Lyrical Underground

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     When exotic pet-sitter Belinda Blake moves into a carriage house in tony Greenwich, Connecticut, she’s hoping to find some new clients. Instead she discovers a corpse in the garden—and a knack for solving murders . . .

     Pet-sitter Belinda Blake doesn’t rattle easily, but move-in day has been eventful, to say the least. They python in her care tried to slither to freedom—just as she met Stone Carrington V, her landlords’ disarmingly handsome son. With the constrictor back in its cage, she heads out to the garden, only to discover a designer shoe poking out of the boxwood hedge—attached to a woman’s dead body.

     The victim, Margo Fenton, was a Carrington family friend, and no one in their circle seems above suspicion. Between client trips to Manhattan and visits to her family in upstate New York, Belinda begins to put the pieces together. But though she’s falling for Stone’s numerous charms, Belinda wonders if she’s cozying up to a killer. And soon, daily contact with a deadly reptile might be the least dangerous part of her life . . .

My review:

     This is a great cozy mystery.

     I had a lot of trouble getting into the book. My only problem was with how much of the early part of the book was talking about clothing and style simply by what seemed to me to be designer names. Since I don’t know what any of them are I was lost. 

     Once we had reached a point that Belinda had been thoroughly introduced this way and the mystery took over I quickly became caught up in the story. The mystery was very intricately woven and definitely kept my attention.

     Belinda is a very different character. Both of her jobs are very unusual. I was equal parts fascinated and grossed out by all of the descriptions of how a ball python is cared for.

     There are a lot of very strange characters in this story. Many of them had me guessing as to whether they could have been the killer. 

     Here on my own blog I have the freedom to rate this book with 4 1/2 stars. I do recommend it for the excellence of the mystery.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

The Brightest of Dreams (Canadian Crossings #3) by Susan Anne Mason

Title: The Brightest of Dreams (Canadian Crossings #3)

Author: Susan Anne Mason

Pages: 352

Release Date: February 4, 2020

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     Quinten Aspinall is determined to fulfill a promise he made to his deceased father to keep his family together. To do so, he must travel to Canada to find his younger siblings, who were sent there as indentured workers while Quinn was away at war. He is also solicited by his employer to look for the man’s niece who ran off with a Canadian soldier. If Quinn can bring Julia back, he will receive his own tenant farm, enabling him to provide a home for his ailing mother and siblings.

     Julia Holloway’s decision to come to Toronto has been met with disaster. When her uncle’s employee rescues her from a bad situation, she fears she can never repay Quinn’s kindness. So when he asks her to help find his sister, she agrees. Soon after, however, Julia receives some devastating news that changes everything.

     Torn between reuniting his family and protecting Julia, will Quinn have to sacrifice his chance at happiness to finally keep his promise?

My review:

     This is an absolutely incredible historical romance!

     We had been introduced to Quinn in the first book of this series. I loved finding out what had brought him to Canada. This is a stand-alone story. Yet at the same time Mrs. C and Reverend Burke are strong supportive characters in each book and their friendship carries over through all of them.

     Julia Holloway is a very deep character. She has a lot of hurt that has shaped her and directs many of her decisions throughout the book. Her story points out how deeply someone can be wounded by something said out of anger.

     I had never heard of the practice of sending children from England to Canada until I started hearing about the book in the author’s newsletters. The details that are given about the British Home Children and how they were treated were definitely eye opening. It reminded me a lot of the Orphan Trains that were used in America to send orphans west.

     This marvelous story is getting a rating of 5 stars from me. I highly recommend it. Though it isn’t necessary to read this series in order. I believe doing so adds to the enjoyment because of the ongoing story between Mrs. C. and Reverend Burke.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

The Land Beneath Us (Sunrise at Normandy #3) by Sarah Sundin

Title: The Land Beneath Us (Sunrise at Normandy #3)

Author: Sarah Sundin

Pages: 384

Release Date: February 4, 2020 

Genre: Historical Romance (WWII)

Publisher: Revell

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

     This is the final book in a true series. Though each book has a stand-alone story, they all have a continuing story running through them. 

About the book:

     In 1943, Private Clay Paxton trains hard with the U.S. Army Rangers at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, determined to do his best in the upcoming Allied invasion of France. With his future stolen by his brothers’ betrayal, Clay has only one thing to live for—fulfilling the recurring dream of his death.

     Leah Jones works as a librarian at Camp Forrest, longing to rise above her orphanage upbringing and belong to the community, even as she uses her spare time to search for her real family—the baby sisters she was separated from so long ago.

     After Clay saves Leah’s life from a brutal attack, he saves her virtue with a marriage of convenience. When he ships out to train in England for D-Day, their letters bind them together over the distance. But can a love strong enough to overcome death grown between them before Clay’s recurring dream comes true?

My review:

     This is an amazing historical romance!

     I absolutely loved both Clay Paxton and Leah Jones. They are very strong characters who are extremely well developed. They each have deep doubts about their self worth but they are striving to live upstanding lives. Their interaction with each other throughout the book is marvelous. They are striving to help the other.

     I was completely caught up in all of the wonderful historical details that are included in this story. That includes things from the home front as well as the training and battle on D-day. 

     I have truly come to trust the accuracy of the historical content in any book written by Sarah Sundin. I have read information on all of the research she does before writing one of her novels.

     I loved this book so much that I have to give it 5 stars. I am highly recommending it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*