Murder on St. Nicholas Avenue by Victoria Thompson

This is a fun book. It was great to get a book that concentrated on the secondary characters rather than the main ones. While Frank Malloy and Sarah Brandt are on their honeymoon, Maeve( the nursemaid) decides to help solve a murder. There are a lot of twists and turns in the story. It is a fun book. I really look forward to the next one with everyone working together.   Fiction

The author of “Murder on Amsterdam Avenue” returns to nineteenth-century New York City to find Christmas in the air, a police detective and a midwife with love in their hearts, and a wealthy newlywed with blood on her hands Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy and Sarah Brandt are not the only ones who have recently tied the knot. Family friend Mrs. O Neill was delighted when her daughter Una wed the seemingly wealthy and charming Randolph Pollock. She didn t wonder why such an affluent man would want to marry a poor Irish girl, no matter how pretty she was. But now Mrs. O Neill has a problem. Pollock s servants have found their employer bludgeoned to death with Una cradling his body. Rendered mute by the horror of her husband s death, Una cannot explain what happened, so the police have charged her with murder and locked her away in the Tombs to await trial. Mrs. O Neill would like Frank to investigate the case and save Una, yet with Frank and Sarah still on their honeymoon, it s up to the other members of their newly formed household to do some detective work. But solving the mystery behind Pollock s death means first discovering the truth about who he really is “

Grace’s Forgiveness by Molly Jebber with a giveaway(rafflecopter)

This has been one of my favorite books of 2016. I could not put this book down. It was so wonderful when Grace and Mark both meet. They were kindred spirits from the beginning. Mark did not mind the birthmark on her face. Most people could not get passed it. Grace had a friend leave the Amish after joining the church and so had Mark. Both had a hard time shunning their friend or family member. Can Grace’s father understand how Grace and Mark feel about this and let them get married? This is a great book that makes you laugh, cry and think. I received this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion.  A handsome newcomer with secrets shows a yearning Amish woman a chance at happiness—but their love will need all their courage to keep . . .

 

Grace Blauch is skilled at midwifery—and crafting quilts that help others pass on messages of enduring family love. But a disfiguring birthmark keeps the young Amish woman from a husband and home of her own—until Mark King arrives from another community. His helpfulness and independent nature earn Grace’s respect. And he finds her outspoken ways and determination to do right irresistibly appealing. Soon Grace is planning a wedding quilt of her very own . . . until her father discovers that Mark’s shunned brother is hiding somewhere in town . . .

 

Grace can well understand why Mark took such a risk once she hears his wrenching reasons. But she fears even prayer will not convince her father to restore his blessing on their union. She wills herself to face the end of her dreams, but sudden danger and an impossible act of generosity will show her that abiding hope can inspire the most precious of miracles . . .

 

 

“Endearing characters and a delightful story make this a keeper for fans of Amish romance.” –Emma Miller
 

Author Information

Molly Jebber is an educational, motivational, and Women’s Christian Connection speaker. She was raised in a small town in the Midwest, and insists if you had blinked twice, you would’ve missed it. She loves God, her family and friends, sunshine, swimming and traveling to the Amish communities. Creating historical Amish characters and throwing them into difficult situations and joyous times has been challenging and fun for her. The greatest reward she’s experienced in becoming an author is meeting wonderful people from all over the world who’ve been encouraging and supportive.

 

Link to celebrate Lit team website: http://www.celebratelitteam.com/

Link to rafflecopter giveaway:  https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5414/

 

 

Lost King by H.B. Moore

I really enjoyed how this book went from modern times to the past. This is another thriller with Omar and Mia. They need to find out why a scientist was murdered in a pyramid and what was in some stolen scrolls. This leads them to Learning about the pharaoh Hatshepsut. There are many twists and turns for Omar and Mia. We get to learn about how Hatshepsut becomes pharaoh. I received this book from netgalley and book reviewers for a fair and honest opinion.  Undercover agent Omar Zagouri has been ordered to Giza. A prominent Egyptologist was murdered, and a priceless artifact the only complete version of the Book of the Dead is missing. Omar is still reeling from the recent disappearance of his girlfriend, Mia Golding, but he puts his quest to find her on hold to track down the lost piece of history. Omar s mission is not just to locate the sacred book; he must also rescue the two archaeologists kidnapped and forced to translate its hieroglyphics under threat of death. Their kidnapper is determined to discover the text s rumored explosive revelation: that Moses did not receive the Ten Commandments from God but instead copied them from the Egyptians. Though Omar s need to find Mia grows more urgent, he must focus on finding the enemy who will stop at nothing to ignite a controversy that wi

Shadow Play by Iris Johansen

This has been my favorite Eve Duncan novel in a long time. This one flowed so nicely. I am looking forward to many more novels with Eve, Quinn and all the others. Keep them coming. I received a copy if this book from Thereadingroom for a fair and honest opinion.  

Crime & Mystery, Fiction

Eve Duncan: the most sought-after artist in the field of forensic sculpting. Dedicated to her work ever since her daughter Bonnie was taken and killed at the age of seven, Eve feels a sense of duty to those whose lives were lost and whose bones are now in her hands. When a sheriff in California contacts her with a request for help on the reconstruction of the skull of a girl whose body has been buried for eight years, his fierce investment in the case puzzles her. But when Eve finds herself experiencing an unusual connection with the girl she calls Jenny, she becomes entangled in the case more intensely than she could have ever imagined. Not since Bonnie has Eve had such an experience, and suddenly she finds herself determined to solve the murder and bring closure to the crime. When the killer discovers that Eve Duncan is on the case, he begins to move in. First, eliminating those most remotely involved. Then, targeting those more closely tied to Jenny. And he won’t rest until anything and anyone that could reveal his identity is eliminated-but even that won’t satisfy him. He wants something more. He wants something more. One girl escaped from him. And she is his ultimate prize…

At Love’s Bidding by Regina Jennings

Wonderful! I did not want to put this book down. I loved the comedy and the romance in this historical fiction. It would be hard to go from working in a prestigious Boston auction house to an auction barn. Miranda had to do this to help her family find a painting that they sold inadvertently by her grandfather. This book had many happy points and some sad points. Miranda and Wyatt were great characters that belong together. I received this book from the author and bookfun.org for a fair and honest opinion.  Regina Jennings Is a Rising Voice in Humorous Historical Romance After helping her grandfather at their Boston auction house, Miranda Wimplegate discovers she’s accidentally sold a powerful family’s prized portrait to an anonymous bidder. Desperate to appease the furious family, her grandfather tracks it to the Missouri Ozarks and makes an outlandish offer to buy the local auction house if they promise not to sell anything until he arrives. Upon their arrival, however, they discover their new business doesn’t deal in fine antiques, but in livestock. And its manager, ruggedly handsome Wyatt Ballentine, is frustrated to discover his fussy new bosses don’t know a thing about the business he’s single-handedly kept afloat. Faced with more cattle than they can count–but no mysterious painting–Miranda and Wyatt form an unlikely but charged partnership to try and salvage a bad situation getting worse.

Fur Elise by Peggy Sue Wells

I loved this novel about Elise and Michael. They end up being wonderful together. Michael leaves a stressful job and moves to St.Croix to have a less stressful life. Elise lives here where she learned to be musical from her parents and she wants to keep their legacy alive. She and Michael have many adventures on and off the island and have great romance. This is a romantic thriller. I received a copy of this ebook for a fair and honest opinion from bookfun.org.Popular Fiction

“I quit.” Michael Northington tossed his PJ insignia, a metal angel enfolding the world in its wings, across his boss’ desk. At the end of the tumultuous 1980’s, Michael’s idealism snapped when he discovered his assignment had not been to protect a patient but to prevent a friend from receiving life-giving care. He left behind the world that had dealt him one too many betrayals and sought solace on St. Croix. Life settled into a rhythm of working out his anger in long runs along the beach, teaching scuba to tourists, and acquiring a taste for classical music until his battle buddies showed up on his island paradise. Born late in life to doting, upper-class parents, Elise Eisler’s life feels like a song out of tune after her parents die. Prodded by muse, the artist moved her work home from the studio she shared with her father and listed the cottage for rent. Busy keeping her father’s musical legacy alive, the historic atmospheric concert theater in repair, and exploring a natural romance with her childhood sweetheart; Elise has little interest in the mysterious stranger who has taken over the cottage. Coaxed back into the field, Michael travels overseas to rescue the liberal daughter of an even more liberal senator eyebrow deep in an international organ harvesting industry. As Michael follows a barely discernable connection, he discovers the political forces behind his friend’s death. When the deadly players who market human organs blow into St Croix at the same time Hurricane Hugo unleashes its fury on the island, Michael must employ all his skills to protect Elise and those important to her. Settling his painful past, and learning to forgive, provides Michael the freedom to embrace a new chapter in life. And at the center of his promising future is the beautiful and distant Elise. 

 

Just Kin by Caryl Mcadoo with a giveaway

  This was an ok story. I enjoyed the other books in this series a lot more. I had a hard time liking Lacey Rose or Charlie Nightingale. Neither one seemed to really want to grow up and face the bad choices that they were making. The story seemed ok but sometimes was a little choppy. I like Caryl Mcadoos writing but this story wasn’t my favorite. I do hope to read the next installment of this series to see if they grow up any. I received this from Celebratlit for a fair and honest opinion.  I gave this a four out of five stars.

 Celebrate Lit Team Site: http://www.celebratelitteam.com/
 Link to HTML: http://www.celebratelitteam.com/posts/just-kin-html-codes/
 Link to purchase book: http://amzn.com/1519738730
Code for giveaway: <a class=”rcptr” href=”http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5413/” rel=”nofollow” data-raflid=”00adcf5413″ data-theme=”classic” data-template=”” id=”rcwidget_1mdxvgsg”>a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>

 
Book Information:
Love covers a multitude of sin.
A stolen kiss ignites a fire that burns all the way from Texas to New York City. Torn apart by war, rejection, and a letter with news she never wanted, Lacey Rose takes her shredded heart and runs. Charley figures out something isn’t right, but is duty-bound to the Confederacy until a deathbed order sets in motion a series of events that tests his love, honor, and commitment to the breaking point.
Can the two lifelong friends see past the pain to finally realize God’s plan for them to be more than just kin?
Here is an excerpt from the book:
Author Information
Caryl, praying her story gives God glory, loves writing for Christian genres–historical and contemporary romance, Biblical fiction, and mid-grade especially. In 2014, Simon and Schuster debuted VOW UNBROKEN, a historical Christian romance set in 1832 Texas, and Caryl followed with three additional novels. In April, LADY LUCK’S A LOSER (contemporary, mature, inspirational romance); September’s debut, HEARTS STOLEN (set in 1839-1844), book two of her historical Christian Texas Romances–a #1 Amazon Best-seller; and in November, A LITTLE LOWER THAN THE ANGELS, volume one of her new Biblical fiction series, The Generations–also an Amazon #1 Best-seller.
In 2008, her high school sweetheart-husband Ron moved her to the woods of Red River County. Caryl counts four children and sixteen grandsugars life’s biggest blessings believing all good things come from God. Praying her story gives God glory, she hopes each one ministers His love, mercy, and grace to its readers. She and Ron live in Clarksville, Texas with two grandsons, Christian and Benjamen.  

Here is another link to the giveaway.http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5413/

Amish Promises by Leslie Gould

This is a good mix of Amish and Englishers. Joel has returned from Iraq injured. Shani wants a fresh start and moves to her grandparents old home in Lancaster county. Their friend Charlie comes to help Shani and Joel get settled and he meets Eve Lehman, an Amish woman. Can they all be friends or can Amish and Englishers not stay friends. There are a lot of twists and turns in this story. I really loved all the characters and how they are woven together. I received a copy of this book from Bethany House for a fair and honest opinion.  

Journey Down a Quiet Lane in Lancaster County Where Love and Heartache and Friendship and Healing Meet When Joel and Shani Beck arrive at their new home, they’re looking for peace. Shani is thrilled to have Joel back from Iraq, but he needs time to heal, and the quiet of Lancaster seems just the place. They can’t imagine any trouble with their Amish neighbors, the Lehmans, but things get off to a rocky start when their son is involved in an accident that injures one of the Lehman boys. Eve Lehman has run her brother’s household ever since the death of his wife, but Tim’s a stern patriarch. Despite his protests, she’s drawn to the new neighbor, Shani, and the two begin to form a strong friendship forged on faith and family. Things seem like they’ve quieted down until Joel’s single and handsome army friend Charlie catches Eve’s attention–a man unlike any Eve has ever met. Suddenly life for both families becomes more complicated than any of them could have ever imagined.

After the Rain by Rita Gerlach with a giveaway

This book kept me interested from start to finish. I loved all the characters in the story. There were a lot of twists and turns throughout. Louisa Borden meets her fate after being thrown from a horse. Jackson O’Neil helps her and she is a snob to him. Many adventures later and some tragedies help to bring them together again. This is a long book but it never seemed that way to me. I had to know how all the characters would fair in the end. I look forward to reading more of Rita Gerlachs books. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion.

Link to purchase book: http://amzn.com/1517606888

 

Link to HTML code: http://www.celebratelitteam.com/posts/html-code-for-after-the-rain/

 

Link to giveaway: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MDBhZGNmNTQzZGFkMzUwNzcyZmIzY2U1NDc5MjA0OjEy/?

 Book Information:

He becomes the love of her life. She becomes his biggest challenge.

 

It’s 1908, a year in the Edwardian Age, the year J.M. Barrie’s play What Every Woman Knows, premiered in Atlantic City and the first Model T rolled off the assembly line in Detroit. It is a year when the world faced one of its worst disasters in history, when the New Year would heal the wounds of loss. Louisa Borden lives a privileged life in Chevy Chase, Maryland, a new and thriving community on the outskirts of Washington, DC for the well-to-do. Against the wishes of her domineering grandmother, she retreats from the prospects of a loveless marriage and instead searches for what she hopes is her calling in life.

 

When her horse is spooked along Rock Creek, she is thrown from the saddle—an embarrassing situation for any affluent young lady. Soaking wet, bruised and humiliated, she is carried up the muddy bank to safety by Jackson O’Neil, a stranger to the city, who changes the course of everything, including the lives of all those around her.

 

Author Information

Rita Gerlach is a best-selling author of inspirational fiction with a romantic bent, including The Rebel’s Pledge, Thorns in Eden and The Everlasting Mountains, Surrender the Wind, and The Daughters of the Potomac Series. She lives in Maryland near the Catoctin Mountains with her husband Paul.

 

Pictures for the Tour

    
 

Amish Christmas at North Star by Katie Ganshert, Amanda Flower, Cindy Woodsmall and Mindy Starns Clark and Emily Clark

This is a book of 4 wonderful Christmas novellas. These are all Amish stories that are connected by a single night in December. The main characters of each story were born on December 1 in an Amush birthing clinic in the town of North Star.I loved every story and they were all wonderful. The four stories are Guiding Star by Katie Ganshert, Mourning Star by Amanda Flower, In the Stars by Cindy Woodsmall and Star of Grace by Mindy Starns Clark and Emily Clark.

I did not want to put any of the stories down. This is such an uplifting set of Christmas novellas.

I received this book from Bloggingforbooks for a fair and honest opinion. 

 
One night four lives entered the world by the hands of an Amish midwife, just outside North Star, Pennsylvania. Rebekah s Babies, as they are called, are now grown adults and in four heartwarming novellas each young person experiences a journey of discovery, a possibility of love, and the wonder of Christmas. “Guiding Star” by Katie Ganshert Curiosity gets the best of Englischer Chase Wellington when he investigates the twenty-five-year-old disappearance of an Amish baby. When he finds adventurous Elle McAllister in Iowa will his discoveries upend her world? “Mourning Star” by Amanda Flower Eden Hochstetler slips from her parents fudge shop to investigate the death of her friend Isaac. Who is guilty? Isaac s handsome great nephew Jesse, an angry Englischer, or someone else? “In the Stars” by Cindy WoodsmallHeartbroken Kore Detweiler avoids North Star after Savilla Beiler rejects his love. But when he is unexpectedly called to return home, he and Savilla must join forces to keep a family together. “Star of Grace” by Mindy Starns Clark and Emily Clark Andy Danner left North Star to join a new Amish settlement in Mississippi. His little brother devises a scheme to bring Andy home for Christmas and unwittingly unleashes the power of forgiveness in a reclusive widower s life.”CINDY WOODSMALL is a best-selling author of several works of Amish fiction and a non-fiction book. MINDY STARNS CLARK is a bestselling author of both fiction and nonfiction, coauthoring the Christy Award-winning The Amish Midwife. Her daughter EMILY CLARK is an MFA student. AMANDA FLOWER authored the Amish Quilt Shop mysteries as Isabella Alan and received an Agatha Award nomination for Maid of Murder. Christy Award winner KATIE GANSHERT is the author of A Broken Kind of Beautiful, three other novels and two novellas.