A Thieving at Carlton House

 

A Thieving at Carlton House, by Erica Vetsch, introduces Phillipa Cashel on the opening pages.  Philippa, formerly worked as a courtesan in London, is now seeking to help other women leave that life-style behind.  However, she is having trouble getting assistance from some of the elite in London setting up a safe home.  Philippa needs a spot where these women could be trained to go out and work acceptable jobs in the world!

Investigator Sir Bertrand Thorndike has been given the task of setting up a team to help track down some missing royal jewelry.  Bertie is not sure what to think when his superior suggests he add Philippa to his group mainly for skill at reading people.  Bernie is not so sure about her due to her former life!

The investigation gets complicated when a young girl is blamed for the theft and sent to Newgate.  Bernie’s next priority is to get Nell out of one of the worst prisons in England.  When one of Nell’s fellow workers end up dead at the Prince Regent’s home, you know Philippa will be pulled in as well!

You will not believe what Bernie and Philippa learn along the way!

I received a copy from Kregel Publications for my honest review.

To Win a Wager

 

To Win a Wager, by Grace Hitchcock, opens with Tess Hale hearing the sound of some unknown person in her family’s manor.  Quickly, her Da is sending her away for her safety.  He instructs her to go to Dover, get on a boat and head to Scotland.  This is definitely not a game.  Tess’s Da had been training her for years in self-defense and now these skills seem to be fully applied.  Little does she know that the clansman Jaime Malcolm is close on her heels!

Jaime is intent on retrieving the treasure Tess’s father had stolen from the Malcolm clan.  However, when he crosses paths with Tess, Jaime’s heart begins leading him in another direction.  Before you know it Tess and Jaime are teaming up to find the treasure before a group of bounty hunter’s get their hands on it!

When Tess learns the truth of her family’s place among the clans of Scotland, she cannot believe it.  This is an interesting tale to follow, as Tess and Jaime are chased all the way to their next destination.  With every step they take, you will see hints of feelings developing between Tess and Jaime.  Once Tess finally agrees to marry Jaime, to avoid a worse fate, you wonder how their lives will change.  When Jaime grandfather suddenly dies from food poisoning shortly after the wedding, Tess is accused of being at fault and she and Jaime are suddenly on the run for safety!

You will not be surprised when they "land" at Tess’s friend’s home in London and you see Jaime reach out to his former undercover contacts for assistance.  With the additional help, you wonder if Jaime and Tess will survive the turmoil. This is tale will keep you guessing all the way to the final page!

I received a copy from Kregel Publications for my honest review.

Falling into Us

 

On the opening pages of Falling Into Us, author Denise Hunter introduces Gabrielle Donaldson.  Gaby is traveling from her home in  to North Carolina looking to meet her grandmother and deliver a letter from her mother.  Gaby’s mother had been estranged from her grandmother ever since she left home as a pregnant nineteen-year-old.  Gaby has no idea what she will find; however, she wants to keep the promise she made to her late mother!

Gaby meets Mason Morrison shortly after her arrival, when she loses the key to the Airbnb where she is staying.  Mason is owner and is not exactly sure what he thinks of this woman.  Gaby soon discovers that her grandmother is no longer living at the address that she has.  In an effort to track down her grandmother’s current location, Gaby makes a deal with Mason.  He is a journalist and can use Gaby’s story in exchange for helping her locate her missing grandmother!

As the investigation concerning her grandmother continues, you wonder what the final outcome will be.  What will grow from the attraction you see between Mason and Gaby? And more importantly, will Gaby ever find her grandmother?

You will not believe the connection between Mason and Gaby that comes to light by the final pages of this tale!

I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my review.

A Ladies Guide to Love and Pirates

 

A Ladies Guide to Love and Pirates, by Jennifer Moore, introduces Captain Reid Courtney.  He has been a part of Annabelle Bradford’s life from shortly after her birth.  Courtney had boarded the San Sebastián to gather loot but he also finds a baby.  And this baby, whom he thinks of as Belle, changes his life from that day on.  Captain Courtney not only becomes her godfather, but also becomes a companion Belle spends many summers with out at sea!

The year Belle turns twenty, a few of the sailors she had met on these summer trips, surprise her with a visit to her London home.  Unfortunately, they come bearing bad news.  Courtney has suddenly disappeared.  Belle’s first action to try to locate her godfather is to break Captain Hawke out of prison hoping he will help track down Captain Courtney!

Once Hawke is found and the crew along with Belle are headed out to sea, you wonder if they will find Courtney or simply more trouble.  In the midst of adjusting to dealing with Captain Hawke, Belle must choose between the two people that she loves.  Her mother wants her to settle down and marry; however, Belle cannot imagine  giving up Courtney or the sea!

Hawke tries to prepare Belle for the battle to come, but neither are prepared for what they must face in the end.  Will Hawke and Belle be walking away from each other or will they find a happily ever after?  There is definitely a surprise ending to this tale!

I received a copy of this book from Shadow Mountain Publishing in exchange for my review.

Almost by Design

 

Almost by Design, by Jenny Erlingsson, opens with Kenya Stewart attending a wedding dance as the maid of honor.  After the music entices her to get on the dance floor, you suddenly see Kenya on the floor with the an injured ankle.  Before she knows it, she is being driven to the hospital by Dr. Solomon Anruchi.  Kenya had dated Solomon and their first date had not gone well!

After Kenya falls again as she embarrasses herself in front of her coworkers, Solomon yet again comes to her rescue.  Kenya is surprised to hear him ask her to kind of go on a date with him again.  Eventually she decides to go along with his plan.  However, Kenya does not understand all Solomon’s reasoning behind his request!

When Solomon invites Kenya to a Nigerian family wedding, she is immediately all in.  Kenya had heard a lot about the grandeur of these events.  However, she has no idea what she will encounter when she meets his family, especially his parents!

Life gets very complicated for Kenya as she deals with both Solomon’s wealthy parents and complications with her dyslexia. This is a fun ride, as there are several surprises along the way!

I received a copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my review.

Chase the Light

 

Chase the Light, by Suzanne Woods Fisher, is a tale that is set in Maine.  Ranger “Scout” Johnson works for the National Park Service.  She typically tries to anticipate any potential problems; however, Scout would never had guessed she would be left behind by the tourist boat.  As she waits, Scout discovers on old note under a loose brick.  The note seems to be referring to an accident that took place in 1852 off the coast of Maine.  It actually reads like a confession to what Scout does not know.  Her world is about to blow up in a way Scout never expected!

Enter Chase Fletcher, the owner of the Bar Harbor Gazette.  The newspaper is in trouble and Chase is not sure of  his next step.  When he hears Scout speaking to her trainee and the words “shipwreck” and “gold” are mentioned, Chase’s ears perk right up.    This could definitely be his next step!

Scout soon meets Naki Dani.  Naki is a  very tall man with penetrating eyes, but most importantly he is of Penobscot heritage and this tribe of Indians were to originally receive the gold.  Scout soon teams up with Naki to follow clues left behind in the old, cryptic note!

When someone from Scout’s past suddenly appears, it is definitely a hand to the forehead moment.  This is definitely a fun tale full of many interesting characters.  Hold tight to learn what happens to the gold this is found!

Love in a Mist

 

Love in a Mist, by Sarah M. Eden, is the fifth book in her The Gents series.  Lord Aldric Benick learns of “his inheritance” the day of his father’s funeral.  A riddle was left by his mother to be revealed upon his father’s death.  She knew that Aldric, as the younger son, would be left with little.   However, his mother set up a “gift” that he must travel to France to claim!

Aldric makes plans to travel with two dear friends: Lucas Lampton and Henri Fortier, fellow members of The Gents.  Lady Lampton has requested the trip before giving birth to their third child and Henri is looking to make connection with the family he left behind in France.  Henri will definitely make a connection; however, it will not be a positive one!

Celeste Fortier is pleasantly surprised when her brother, Henri suddenly steps into the room.  However, the Lamptons and Aldric soon get the sense that life in the Fortier home is not at all pleasant for Celeste.  Their older brother has been making Celeste’s life absolutely miserable.  You soon learn that Celeste has been planning to escape her home as soon as possible!

You will also be surprised when you discover how Aldric’s gift from his mother ties into this tale.  This is yet another great tale from Sarah M. Eden that you will not want to miss!