Five stars

A new-to-me author with a great fun read!

Right upfront with full-disclosure, I admit that I am predisposed to love books set in Ireland.  Pair that with a good whodunnit, old-fashioned detective story and you’ve got me!

January Quail is a journalist who writes about antiquities.  When a “bog body” is found in Ardee, January is dispatched to get the goods.  What she gets is a mystery, when it’s quickly discovered that this is no 1,000 year-old corpse, though it’s been staged as one.  Can she find out the truth when even the Gardai seem uninclined?

Sherlock [what a great name for a mystery writer!] pulls it all together with red herrings, more dead bodies, and a secret so old it would never have been unearthed otherwise.  Preserved is a fun read that will keep you on the edge of your seat.  Highly recommend!!!

[I was fortunate to receive a copy of the book from the author via BookSirens, with no obligation to review.  The opinions herein are given freely and are entirely my own.]

The Masonville series, Book Two

Five of five stars

Another heartwarming read from a new-to-me author!

We meet one of the main characters as he finds himself drawn to rescuing a horse otherwise headed for dogfood.  We meet the other when she comes across him and the horse as they are walking toward home, and berates him for how badly the poor horse has been neglected.  The inevitable crash boom happens as two major forces – both with chips on their shoulders and secrets to hide – collide.

Garrett and Jessica have scars and secrets that they each feel no one else could possibly understand.  Richards plies her craft expertly here as she drags them both kicking and screaming to the realization that nothing is ever insurmountable.

In To Heal a Heart we find a rich tapestry of pain, regret, and heartache.  But she tempers it well with hope, and ultimately love.  Richards’ characters are multifaceted and endearing, the kind of people you’d want as neighbours and friends.  And in their stories, there is loss, but also healing.

I loved this story; from the beautifully described country to the delicately handled issues, this was another book I was sad to see the end of.  I will be picking up more by this author!

Get your copy here:  https://www.amazon.com/Heal-Heart-Masonville-Book-ebook/dp/B0875SLGK6/

[I was fortunate to receive a copy of the book from the author through the 2021 Winter Games Reader Challenge, with no obligation to review.  The opinions herein are given freely and are entirely my own.]

Five of five stars

Another new-to-me author, in a genre that isn’t really my norm; but it packed a mystery that was a little different than most.

Meath draws in the threads of many different stories – some seemingly unrelated – and weaves them into a story that is compelling, enthralling, and most of all unputdownable.

In the first pages we meet Wolfe, Cole, and a railroad baron who is bent on vengeance.  The book almost didn’t hold me at this point.  Until we meet Sam and Streeter, and Sara.  And we find out Wolfe and his colleague are not what we first thought.  The story takes on a life of its own and this is where Meath takes Path of Treasures on its own treasure hunt.

There’s much more to this narrative than what the hapless reader might first surmise.  A skillful blend of intrigue, deceit, hidden agendas, and greed that all combine to make this among my favourite reads of the Winter Games this year.  I’m sure you will too; I highly recommend it and will be searching out more by Meath myself.

Find your copy of treasure here:  https://www.amazon.com/PATH-TREASURES-Gail-Meath-ebook/dp/B08MCGR578/

[I was fortunate to receive a copy of this book from the author through the 2021 Winter Games Reader Challenge, with no obligation to review.  The opinions expressed herein are given freely and are entirely my own.]

Five of five stars

While this is the third of a series, I had no problem at all reading it without having read the first two – though I will go back and read them.

Fosdick tells an engaging and intriguing tale that spans through the present day – and well into the past.  I had no trouble keeping straight who was who – whether in the past or the present – and becoming totally immersed in the stories she tells.  This is an author with a clear love for her characters that is evident in how well she draws them, and how sympathetic they all are to the reader.

The Accidental Heiress is – in part – the story of Jess and Robbie.  Time travellers who found each other by chance and married, in the present day; they are finally on their much delayed honeymoon in Ireland, Robbie’s home of more than a century before.

The Accidental Heiress is also a story of social justice and much needed change.  In its recapping of events of the past – its way of explaining present day confusions – it addresses the situations that often brought unimaginable results to many who felt helpless to counter their circumstances.

Jess and Robbie have a love that spans centuries, but their story is ageless.  From the crash into the Shannon on the last leg of their journey to honeymoon, to the journey home again, I could not bring myself to leave them until I knew all of what happened.  I’m sure you’ll feel the same way as well.  I highly recommend this author, and this series.

The first of this series is found here:  https://www.amazon.com/Accidental-Wife-Cj-Fosdick-ebook/dp/B00TMW2ZCI/

Or if you fancy just reading Book Three, find it here:  https://www.amazon.com/Accidental-Heiress-Book-ebook/dp/B08NZ329XP/

[I was fortunate to receive a copy of the book from the author through the 2021 Winter Games Reader Challenge, with no obligation to review.  The opinions expressed herein are given freely and are entirely my own.]

Five of five stars

Goss gets right into the story on the very first page; she keeps it fast-paced and full of tantalizing tidbits right to the very last page.  This is a story that has you developing – and dropping – theories and villains with each new chapter; an engagement that is palpable.  It’s clear that Goss in her element in this genre.

Fatal Limit’s heroine is a private investigator named Dora.  Her boyfriend is a homicide detective.  How the two handle their sometimes entangled cases is part of what makes the narrative work, and keeps it intriguing.  I give credit to him that he listens to her and soon sees the truth and what she sees.  He doesn’t just slough off her insights and that’s refreshing.  It shows he’s a smart man too.

Sheila’s murder is no exception.  With all the “experts” saying it was an unfortunate accident, Dora – and her best friend and Sheila’s niece Maddie – are convinced there is far more to this.  The fact that Dora was waiting for Sheila when it happened and saw it, goes even further to convince her that this is her case to solve.

Well written, with characters that are so well drawn as to almost be real, Goss is masterful and keeping the suspense flowing.  A truly great read that I highly recommend; I’ll be looking for more from this new-to-me author.

Grab your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Fatal-Limit-Inge-Lise-Goss-ebook/dp/B0819654BR/

[I was fortunate to receive a copy of the book from the author through the 2021 Winter Games Reader Challenge, with no obligation to review.  The opinions expressed herein are entirely my own and are given freely.]

Five of five stars

What a treat to find a new-to-me author who combines mystery and intrigue with a bit of history and a good dollop of humour too.  Mrs. Spinney’s Secret takes place in the present but many of the threads of its mystery go back to the American Revolution.  And what better setting than Maine?  Picturesque small towns, the citizens of which know everything there is to know about their neighbours – and intend to find out everything there is to know about “foreigners” too.  Especially when those foreigners are “Hollywood types”.

Though Cassidy Beauvoir – chair of the Overseer Committee, and owner of the local bookstore – exhorts council not to agree to let that movie crew work in their small town, members with stars in their eyes overrule her; and soon find out they should have listened.

While Secret is full of red herrings, and unexpected twists, Spencer injects chuckles into the narrative as well.  The usual suspects of town blowhards and busybodies intermingling with the stars lead to a good few chuckles while at the same time handing out unexpected surprises.  People are being killed, ghosts are firing guns and slamming trap doors, and it just might be that history is not recorded too accurately.

An enjoyable read, I started Mrs. Spinney’s Secret just after dinner and I didn’t not put it down till it was done.  I highly recommend it!

Pick up your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Spinneys-Secret-M-Spencer-ebook/dp/B08P886V99/

[I was fortunate to receive a copy of the book from the author through 2021 Winter Games Reader Challenge, with no obligation to review.  The opinions contained herein are entirely my own and given freely.]

Wild Crime Series, Book Three

Five of five stars

Family secrets, old vendettas, a father whose name she’s never known.  All these things come together for Meredith when she discovers the grandmother she didn’t know existed has died and left her “something”.  That “something”, though worthless, triggers a search for the father her mother had refused to talk about, and puts her on the radar of danger and intrigue.

Howard weaves a stunning tale of suspense and memories that Meredith is no longer sure she wants to uncover.  Can she find her father while still keeping the new and finally happy life she’s started in her small Idaho town?

Wild Crime is the third of a three-book series but reads well as a stand-alone so don’t let that stop you.  I plan on going back to read the first two though, Howard writes an engaging mystery and I’m looking forward to reading more of her work.

grab your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Crime-Julie-Howard-ebook/dp/B07YR74DZ1/

[I was fortunate to receive a copy of the book from the author through the 2021 Winter Games Reader Challenge, with no obligation to review.  The opinions expressed herein are entirely my own and are given freely.]

A True Springs Contemporary Romance

Four of five stars

Let me start by saying that I love a good starting over, second chance story.  Whispers in Washington has all of that, and more.

Naomi Reuben finally returns to Washington – the scene of the crime, as it were – after the scandal and sensationalism of her ex-husband’s fall from grace and the subsequent very public divorce had driven her away.

Max Bruder is a journalist on a mission – to put enough aside to allow him to choose his assignments and to write his novel.

I loved Max from the outset.  He is drawn with a sympathetic pen; the helpful neighbour, the reporter with a conscience, I was on his side almost from the get-go.  While Naomi is amiable and engaging, there were also times that I simply wanted to shake some sense into her. 

How these two navigate the scars of Naomi’s far too public previous life, and the struggle between Max’s ambition and his true nature, combine to make this a compelling tale.  This is a story of relationships, family, and ultimately of love; and includes a little bit of whimsy that Wilck ties into an engaging tapestry that I found hard to put down. 

Grab your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Whispers-Washington-Ticket-True-Love-ebook/dp/B08B5J66BN/

[I was fortunate to receive a copy of the book from the author through the 2021 Winter Games Reader Challenge, with no obligation to review.  The opinions contained herein are entirely my own and are given freely.]

Redemption Bluff, Book Nine

Four of five stars

Book Nine – and I understand it’s the final book – of a series, A Badge for Redemption does well as a stand-alone.  Cox plants enough nuggets that the storyline flows easily. 

Badge started out making me feel uncertain about continuing but see it through I did and I was not disappointed.  Cox weaves the pure evil of Charlie Denton with the determination to overcome of both Vanessa and Sam with a skill that at times left me breathless but always had me turning pages.  These characters are drawn with a dexterity that had me rooting for them, even before I was completely sure which side they were on.

Picking up a series in mid-stream – let alone at the end – is often daunting, but don’t let that stop you, you’ll miss out on a great read.  And, like me, you may be inclined to go back and start at the beginning.

Grab your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Badge-Redemption-Bluff-Book-ebook/dp/B0887Y861H/

[I was fortunate to receive a copy of this book from the author through the 2021 Winter Games Reader Challenge, without obligation to review.  All opinions expressed herein are entirely my own and are given freely.]