To Disguise the Truth (The Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency #3) by Jen Turano

Title: To Disguise the Truth (The Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency #3)

Author: Jen Turano

Pages: 352

Release Date: January 18, 2022

Genre: Historical Romantic Comedy

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

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

About the book:

     When Arthur Livingston arrives out of the blue at the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency, anxious to hire the agency to seek out a missing heiress. Eunice Holbrooke realize her past has finally caught up with her.

     Having fled from the scene of her grandfather’s murder seven years before, Eunice is a lady with secrets—the most important that she is the missing heiress Arthur is seeking. She has no intention of allowing him to learn she’s been disguising herself especially when she has reason to believe Arthur could hold her responsible for her grandfather’s death.

     In order to avoid Arthur and conceal her real identity, Eunice takes on another case that requires to to go deep undercover. With secrets from the past—and Arthur—appearing wherever she looks, she wonders how she will ever uncover the truth behind her grandfather’s murder. Will what she discovers set Eunice free or place her in peril’s way?

My review:

     This is an incredibly funny historical romantic comedy novel!

     I love both of the main characters. Eunice and Arthur are extremely well developed. The way they interacted with each other at the beginning of the book completely cracked me up. Their conversation went in circles and it took definite effort to follow it.

     I loved seeing the two couples from the previous books and how their lives were progressing. I was thrilled to see the expected cast of quirky characters. Jen Turano does a remarkable job of developing them for each book. It was also fun to see what animal was included in a central role.

     The plot was fantastic. When all of the Mason family secrets were coming out I was amazed that there were so many within one family. 

     I’m giving this marvelous book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have 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.*

Egypt's Sister (The Silent Years #1) by Angela Hunt

Title: Egypt’s Sister (The Silent Years #1)

Author: Angela Hunt

Pages: 384

Year: 2017

Genre: Biblical-Era Fiction

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

About the book:

     Five decades before the birth of Christ, Chava, daughter of the royal tutor, grows up with Urbi, a princess in Alexandria’s royal palace. When Urbi becomes Queen Cleopatra, Chava vows to be a faithful friend no matter what-but after she and Cleopatra have an argument, she finds herself imprisoned and sold into slavery.

     Torn from her family, her community, and her elevated place in Alexandrian society, Chava finds herself cast off and alone in Rome. Forced to learn difficult lessons, she struggles to trust a promise HaShem has given her. After experiencing the best and worst of Roman society, Chava must choose between love and honor, between her own desires and God’s will for her life.

My review:

     This is an absolutely incredible biblical-era fiction story!

     This book is set during the years between the Old and New Testament. Therefore it isn’t officially a biblical novel but I can’t think of any other genre that it fits better.

     I love Chava! She faces so much heartache and danger in her life, but it all helps her to grow and become an incredibly strong woman. I have never studied the history from this period though much of it is well known. I found all of the details that are given about how the different levels of people were treated to be very eye opening. I was also fascinated by the differences between Rome and Alexandria.

     I thoroughly enjoyed reading the author’s note at the end of the book. It made a number of things clearer for me as to what is actually known about Cleopatra.

Saving Mrs. Roosevelt (Heroines of WWII) by Candice Sue Patterson

Title: Saving Mrs. Roosevelt (Heroines of WWII)

Author: Candice Sue Patterson

Pages: 256

Release Date: December 1, 2021

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Barbour Fiction

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

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

About the book:

     The Safety of the First Lady Rests in Shirley’s Hands

     Shirley Davenport is as much a patriot as her four brothers. She, too, wants to aid her country in the war efforts, but opportunities for women are limited. When her best friend Joan informs her that the Coast Guard has opened a new branch for single women, they both enlist in the SPARs, ready to help protect the home front.

     Training is rigorous, and Shirley is disappointed that she and Joan are sent to separate training camps. At the end of basic training, Captain Webber commends her efforts and commissions her home to Maine under the ruse of a dishonorable discharge to help uncover a plot against the First Lady.

     Shirley soon discovers nothing is as it seems. Who can she trust? Why do the people she loves want to harm the First Lady? With the help of Captain Webber, it’s a race against tie to save Mrs. Roosevelt and remain alive.

My review:

     This is an incredible historical romance!

     I love both of the main characters. Shirley and Leo are both very well developed. The pain that they have both suffered since America entered the war are huge. I really enjoyed seeing how Shirley’s love of the country was displayed by her courage in taking on an enormous task.

     I was absolutely fascinated to learn about the SPARS. I didn’t even know that the Coast Guard had a women’s reserve unit. This is one of the things that I really enjoy about reading historical fiction. I learn about many things from history is a way that my interest is captured and I can retain the information because of it.

     The plot of the story was fantastic. It had a lot of intrigue and danger built into it. I was sucked into it and desperate to see how the good guys would triumph.

     I’m giving this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have 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.*

Riding Through Shadows by Sharon Ewell Foster

Title: Riding Through Shadows

Author: Sharon Ewell Foster

Pages: 350

Year: 2001

Genre: Christian Fiction

Publisher: Multnomah

Format: Paperback

About the book:

     Living in one of the most tumultuous decades of America’s history, an eight-year-old African American girl experiences the anguish of real-life heartache: she loses her beloved father in the Vietnam War, endures the dissolution of her family, and faces the challenge of integration. Yet, through a wise and eccentric old woman, she also discovers the tenacity of joy. A powerful, eye-opening read!

My review:

     This is an incredible thought provoking story!

     Most of the way through this book I wanted to just wrap my arms around Shirley and comfort her. She had more problems and heart ache than I could even imagine. The author did an amazing job of making the difficulties that African Americans dealt with in the late 1960s come alive for me. I had heard some of what they faced but now I have a much deeper understanding of it.

     I loved Mother Johnson. She was an amazingly wise woman. I was fascinated by the fact that though she was a black woman living in Tyler, Texas in 1969, there were white people that came to her with their problems seeking wisdom. I thoroughly enjoyed all of the scripture (without references) and discussion of God that came out in this book. I found many things that were an encouragement to me for my own life.

     I borrowed this book from the library of a small church that we have started visiting occasionally. I’m really glad that I did. I’m giving this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it if you are able to find a copy.

Shadows of Swanford Abbey by Julie Klassen

Title: Shadows of Swanford Abbey

Author: Julie Klassen

Pages: 416

Release Date: December 7, 2021

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

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

About the book

     In pursuit of an author who could help get her brother published, Rebecca Lane stays at Swainford Abbey, a grand hotel rumored to be haunted. It is there she encounters Sir Frederick-the man who broke her heart. When a mysterious death occurs, Rebecca is one of the suspects, and Frederick is torn between his feelings for her and his search for the truth.

My review:

     This is a wonderful historical romance!

     There is a definite mystery that comes into play in the plot. But the main story seems to be the interaction between Rebecca and Frederick. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know these two main characters. They are extremely well developed. I liked seeing the glimpses that are given into the years when they were growing up.

     The mystery captivated me. It was a lot of fun seeing how people in 1820 would have gone about solving a murder. I believe that the author had to have spent a good amount of time researching the jobs of magistrate and constable. She gave a lot of details along the way as to who would be responsible to questions witnesses and such.

     I’m giving this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have 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.*

Life Flight (Extreme Measures #1) by Lynette Eason

Title: Life Flight (Extreme Measures #1)

Author: Lynette Eason

Narrator: Sara Sheckells

Pages: 336

Duration: 9 hours 40 minutes

Release Date: January 4, 2022

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Revell (print) / Tantor Audio (audiobook)

Format: Audiobook (also available in eBook and paperback)

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

About the book:

     EMS helicopter pilot Penny Carlton is used to high stress situations, but being forced to land on a mountain in a raging storm with a critical patient—and a serial killer on the loose—tests her skills and her nerve to the limit. She survives with FBI Special Agent Holt Satterfield’s help. But she’s not out of the woods yet.

     In the ensuing days, Penny finds herself under attack. And when news reaches that he may not have gotten his man after all, it will take all he and Penny have to catch a killer—before he catches one of them.

My review:

     This is a heart-pounding romantic suspense novel!

     I love both of the main characters. Both Penny and Holt have things from their pasts that they don’t like talking about. As the stories come out it is completely understandable though. With Penny’s past it is very easy to understand her career choice and the emotional strength that she has to deal with the current situation. They have a number of very strong people surrounding them and helping them to stay safe and find the serial killer.

     The plot is incredibly well developed and kept me on the edge of my seat. I stayed up much later than I should have because I needed to get them out of danger. I was kept guessing about who was helping the bad guy out until the very end.

     The narrator is one of the very best that I have ever heard. She had so many different voices that she used that I could actually see the different people interacting with each other. Their emotions could be felt just by listening to the narrator.

     I’m giving this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it for the story itself. If you listen to audiobooks I truly think that listening to it is the way to go though. The cover for the audiobook is slightly different.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have 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.*

Brentwood's Ward (Bow Street Runners #1) by Michelle Griep

 

Title: Brentwood’s Ward (Bow Street Runners #1)

Author: Michelle Griep

Narrator: Pam Turlow

Pages: 322

Duration: 10 hours 25 minutes

Year: 2015

Genre: Historical Romance / Suspense / Mystery

Publisher: Shiloh Run Press

Format: eBook / Audiobook (also available in paperback)

About the book:

     Placee an unpolished lawman named Nicholas Brentwood as guardian over a spoiled, pompous beauty named Emily Payne and what do you get? More trouble than Brentwood bargains for. She is determined to find a husband this season. He just wants the large fee her father will pay him to help his ailing sister. After a series of dire mishaps, both their desires are thwarted, but each discovers that no matter what, God is in charge.

My review:

     This is an incredible historical romance!

     I have to admit this book is also an incredible romantic suspense and mystery. I love both Emily and Nicholas. There are a number of other wonderful characters also. Two of my other favorites are Jenny and Hope. I loved seeing how Emily matured from a spoiled brat to grown woman ready to deal with difficult situations. Nicholas learned to actually call on God for guidance.

     The plot of this story captured my attention. I started reading the eBook and before I finished 2 chapters I had switched to the audio book so I could read it faster. I had to find out what was going on and where the danger was coming from.

     The narrator is fantastic! She was able to make the story come alive for me. Her variety of voices and accents was wonderful! It was extremely easy to envision who the different characters were. I will definitely be looking for more books that she has narrated.

     I absolutely have to give this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars for both the story and the narration. I highly recommend it.