5 Star Review *** MURDER IN ROSE HILL by Victoria Thompson

 

 

At the beginning of Murder in Rose Hill, Louisa Rodgers stops by Sarah’s clinic to interview her about a story she plans to write for an infant magazine, New Century. Sarah is surprised because very few women writers were on staff at the turn of the 20th century. Louisa’s topic, also a surprise, is women’s health, focusing on the charlatans who manufacture patent medicines. Sarah shares Louisa’s concerns and cooperates, giving her information for the article. When Louisa’s father learns of her homicide, he hires Frank Malloy, through Sarah, to find the murderer. 

The mystery has many potential suspects. Even though I zeroed in on the actual killer early, I couldn’t cross off some suspects completely. I enjoyed following Sarah, Frank, and the team as they tracked down clues and finally revealed the killer. It was an incredible journey with fantastic characters. I love that we get an update on the main characters’ personal lives. They are delightful book friends that I enjoy visiting every year.

What I love about good historical authors is their ability to weave actual events seamlessly into their stories. Ms. Thompson gives us a taste of life at the turn of the twentieth century by painting a verbal picture of the haves and the have-nots during the era. It is a sad time for some women and people who are not wealthy. Their quest to achieve their goals is almost impossible.  Murder in Rose Hill is set in the fall of 1901. Behind the scenes, we learn President McKinley was shot. As vice president, Theodore Roosevelt had a good chance of moving into the presidency. Magazines are beginning to write exposés to shine a light on the corruption in the oil industry, the pharmaceutical industry, and the mistreatment of employees.  

I have been a big fan of the Gaslight Mystery series since I read the first book. As soon as I see the release date, I put the next book on my TBR list and calendar to order immediately.  While each book works as a standalone novel, a lot of the history of the characters and their struggle to get where they are is missed. 

I can’t wait to see where Victoria Thompson will take us in the next book. 

#Netgalley #VictoriaThompson

 

 

5 Star Review - Mind Games by Nora Roberts

 

 The #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Identity presents a suspenseful new novel of tragedy and trauma, love and family, and the evil that awaits.

As they do each June, the Foxes have driven the winding roads of Appalachia to drop off their children for a two-week stay at their grandmother’s. Here, twelve-year-old Thea can run free and breathe in the smells of pine and fresh bread and Grammie’s handmade candles. But as her parents head back to suburban Virginia, they have no idea they’re about to cross paths with a ticking time bomb.

Back in Kentucky, Thea and her grandmother Lucy both awaken from the same nightmare. And though the two have never discussed the special kind of sight they share, they know as soon as their tearful eyes meet that something terrible has happened.

The kids will be staying with Grammie now in Redbud Hollow, and thanks to Thea’s vision, their parents’ killer will spend his life in supermax. Over time, Thea will make friends, build a career, find love. But that ability to see into minds and souls still lurks within her, and though Grammie calls it a gift, it feels more like a curse―because the inmate who shattered her childhood has the same ability. Thea can hear his twisted thoughts and witness his evil acts from miles away. He knows it, and hungers for vengeance. A long, silent battle will be waged between them―and eventually bring them face to face, and head to head…

 

I loved this story.  I am a fan of small-town romantic suspense because the characters are so connected.  I am also reading Kay Hooper's Bishop series and exploring the various psychic gifs.  Thea, the heroine, and her grandmother Lucy also have psychic gifts.  The gift of sight is a fascinating component of the story.  The atmospheric elements of the story add insight and make the town and its inhabitants endearing. 

At the story's beginning, Thea Fox and her brother Rem are off to visit her grandmother for a fun summer vacation, which turns into a nightmare for these twelve and ten-year-old children.  Over the years, Thea's unique gift of sight has often been a hindrance rather than a help, and she works hard to deal with it and the fear it sometimes causes.  As the story moves forward, the characters develop beautifully.  We feel all their emotions, fears, love, and successes.  By the end of the story, we know the characters as friends. 

The family dynamics enhance the suspense, and when the love interest comes on the scene, the level of joy and trepidation increases.  It wouldn't be a respectable romantic suspense if the lovers didn't have a flair-up, which is very tense in this case.  Their disagreement is my only negative, as I thought the issues were resolved a little too quickly to be realistic, but then it is fiction. 

Reading Mind Games reminds me of the riptides in the Florida waters lately.  It pulled me in from the start and would only let me go once I reached the end.  I can't say enough how much I loved all the characters: a kind and loving heroine, support characters that add dimension to the story, a wonderfully evil bad guy, a loving and protective grandmother, and a sexy love interest.  All these elements work together perfectly to make a wonderfully enjoyable story.

#Netgalley #NoraRoberts #romanticsuspense #paranormal

5 Stars

REVIEW CALAMITY RAYNE GETS HITCHED by Lydia Michaels

 

 

 

Calamity Rayne—fiancée of very sophisticated and powerful billionaire hottie, Hale Davenport—has a wedding to plan! With no clue how she managed to out-Darwin a bazillion other women and land one of the world’s most desirable bachelors, she becomes the paparazzi’s newest target. Receiving a crash course in charm school and wedding etiquette, she fights tradition and ends up following a lazy bride's guide to catastrophes and chaos in this laugh-out-loud, opposites-attract, billionaire romantic comedy from bestselling author, Lydia Michaels.

Save The Date! Here comes the awkward bride—with a heap of poor judgment and tequila on the side!

 

 

I must start with a disclaimer.  I accepted this ARC without realizing it is part of a series, and I don’t believe the book works well as a standalone.  That said, Lydia Michaels is a talented writer, and I will look for other books by her in the future. 

What I liked:

Some funny scenes made me laugh out loud.  I can sit with a good romantic comedy and zip the story.  A few scenes also touched my heart and made me a little teary, especially with Rayne and her father.  There are a wide variety of characters; some I liked and some not so much.  For me that is a good book, as it is close to real life.

Rayne’s relationship with Remmington, her future father-in-law, is special.  She is devoted to him, and he treats her as someone special.  He supports her relationship with Hale.  I’m sure there is much information about him in the previous books, but I understand him a little. 

Barrett.  He broke my heart.  It is difficult not to feel for him.   Often I found him more likable than Hale.

What didn’t work too much for me:

The intro chapter put me in the wrong headspace.  I don’t like dishonesty or cheating. As the story progresses, we go through the three months prior to the prologue and the run.  Michaels tries to explain why Rayne is in the room with Barret, but at one point, we are told that Rayne and Barret have never talked about the event since that night.  Why?  What really happened?   They told Hale they would never betray him, and I believe that is true, but something is fishy. 

Elle is selfish and should never be the maid of honor.  Rayne needed to replace her with Seraphina.  I understand that Rayne was trying to hang onto her best friend, but is it necessary?  Seraphina was there to help Rayne every step of the way.  Elle not so much.

Hale took over the wedding to make it what he wanted.  If Hale loves Rayne, let her do the wedding she wants.  I understand he is wealthy, but many wealthy people don’t need their big day in the papers.  Maybe this is explained in one of the previous books, but reading this one alone, it feels like Hale wants what Hale wants and too bad for Rayne. 

Finally, Rayne and Hale are getting married, but she can’t be honest with him about the credit card.  What kind of foundation are they building their forever life on?  BTW, billionaires don’t have credit limits on their AMX cards.  That whole reason for running was childish and didn’t work for me. 

I know this sounds more negative than positive, which isn’t how I feel. This is a decent romantic comedy. It could be on the Hallmark Channel. I really believe if I had read the previous books and not been thrown into the disastrous first chapter, I would have had a very different experience with this book.  

 

3.5 Stars