Friday, December 20, 2024

There Comes a Midnight Hour


Description: 

Cloaked in the shadows at a midnight masquerade, a killer lies in wait. Dancers waltz to and fro—completely unaware of the danger lurking in their midst.


Paris 1888

Mira Blayse had always dreamed of going to Paris, but she never imagined a murderer would lead her to the City of Light. Reunited with Byron, the two of them delve into the heart of Parisian society, determined to ensure that justice is served, no matter the cost.

Yet, as they uncover the intricate web of deception woven by the Order of Circe and their operatives, Mira finds herself ensnared in a deadly game of cat and mouse.

With tensions mounting and secrets unraveling on every side, the key to unlocking the truth lies in the identity of one of Circe’s leaders—the enigmatic Number Three. But in a world of false faces and hidden agendas, can Mira uncover the truth before it’s too late?

Review: 

I love the dynamic sleuthing duo of Mira Blayse and Byron Constantine! As the two continue their search for an unstable killer and member of the secret criminal organization, Circe, I was totally a part of their investigation. I loved the search for clues and the people and places they encounter. Pages were turning at a high rate of speed for me. 


Things to love: 

the masquerade ball

the catacombs

danger 

correspondence

continued courtship

plot twists


I highly recommend reading this third book in the series but do so in order. There is a lot of backstory you will need to know in order to follow the story. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series! This is a book that lovers of Sherlock Holmes or historical mysteries will want to add to their collection. 


I received a complimentary copy of the book through BookSirens. All opinions expressed are my own with no obligation to write a positive review.


Thursday, December 19, 2024

Journey to Unshakable Faith

  A Journey to Unshakable Faith JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Journey to Unshakable Faith by Sydney Witbeck, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!


Title: A Journey to Unshakable Faith
Series: Journeys of Faith #1
Author: Sydney Witbeck

Left with no other option, fourteen-year-old Esther is forced to leave the castle for her own safety, not knowing if she will ever see her mother and father again. With only a pack of food and her faithful horse Onyx, Esther sets off on an adventure to find her mother’s people. But the enemy is never far behind, closing in on the princess who eludes them. Will she be able to make it to safety? And will she ever see her parents again?

When all hope seems lost, Esther soon finds that God never leaves His children on their own. At every turn, Esther meets friendly faces willing to help her as she strives to find a way to get back to her parents. With only her faith in God as her weapon, Esther turns back to home, determined to have the victory once and for all. But will that be enough? It seems that Esther will never see her parents in this world again. And all hope seems lost when Esther is finally captured and hidden away. It’s time for the villagers to take up arms and fight for their freedom. Will they prevail? Or will evil finally win? The true victory lies in finding a faith that is unshakable.


My Review:

When Princess Esther is forced to flee her kingdom and seek refuge with her mother’s family, she has to trust God that he’ll protect her. The trip is not without its difficulties and dangers, but thanks to those who help her, she arrives safely. She is befriended by the kind and fiercely loyal, Reia, who not only helps her find her family’s village but also chooses to make the long and arduous trip of returning to the castle. 

This Medieval tale reminded me of the Biblical story of Esther, but with a couple of twists. I enjoyed how Taren plays a role in aiding Esther and confronting the dastardly Malon. Esther is going to make a great queen when the time comes having been through trials and hardships. She understands those in need and has lived among the villagers for an extended period of time. 

Things to enjoy: 

good vs. evil

strong FMC

lovable side characters

Biblical references

canine companion


I enjoyed the plot and look forward to seeing what will happen to Esther. This is a terrific book for teens through adults and one that I recommend reading.  


I received a complimentary copy of the book through Just Read Tours. All opinions expressed are my own with no obligation to write a positive review.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Buy Directly From the Author

More Books in This Series


About the Author

Sydney Witbeck

Sydney Witbeck is a Christian self-published author. She has a strong love for the Lord, her family, church, and friends. She has been blessed with supportive parents and two sisters and often helps out at the family business, Learning Cycle Homeschool Store. An avid bookworm, Sydney is happiest curled up with a good book. She has always enjoyed reading and rereading her favorite stories – a passion that soon transferred to writing books of her own. Her writing journey began when she heard how many moms were looking for fiction novels for girls that were both clean and Christian. In her free time, she likes drawing, spending time with her dog, and caring for her miniature horse and her three goats.

Connect with Sydney by visiting storiesoffaithfulness.com.


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card and signed paperback copies of A Journey to Unshakable Faith and the sequel, A Journey to Abiding Forgiveness.

A Journey to Unshakable Faith JustRead Tours blog giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight December 17, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on December 24, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Prelude for a Lord


Prelude for a Lord (The Gentlemen Quartet, #1)









An awkward young woman. A haunted young man. A forbidden instrument. Can the love of music bring them together . . . or will it tear them apart?

Bath, England—1810

At twenty-eight, Alethea Sutherton is past her prime for courtship; but social mores have never been her forté. She might be a lady, but she is first and foremost a musician.

In Regency England, however, the violin is considered an inappropriate instrument for a lady. Ostracized by society for her passion, Alethea practices in secret and waits for her chance to flee to the Continent, where she can play without scandal.

But when a thief’s interest in her violin endangers her and her family, Alethea is determined to discover the enigmatic origins of her instrument . . . with the help of the dark, brooding Lord Dommick.

Scarred by war, Dommick finds solace only in playing his violin. He is persuaded to help Alethea, and discovers an entirely new yearning in his soul.

Alethea finds her reluctant heart drawn to Dommick in the sweetest of duets . . . just as the thief’s desperation builds to a tragic crescendo . . .

My Review: 

Lady Alethea Sutherton is considered an oddball and social outcast because she is a spinster and a violinist. I admired her determination to continue to play the instrument that she had fallen in love with. It took a lot of courage and an amount of standing up for herself in order to continue. I loved that about her and that she didn’t put that love aside in order to fit in with the Ton.

There are several mysteries involving Lady Alethea’s violin and things get very interesting when there is a break-in, a mysterious man watching her, and a series of mishaps. I loved trying to figure out the importance of the violin. Other things to love include:

Second chances
Danger
The Quartet
The Mad Baron
Alethea’s aunt and cousin
Trusting someone with your heart
Faith thread

Brayard Tarrelton was certainly the right man for Alethea. He understood her passion for music and her violin since he himself was a violinist. When tasked with finding out the origin of the violin, he didn’t give up until he found the answers for Alethea. I was happy to see that Bray and Alethea became a couple in detection as well as in love.

I recommend reading this Regency era romantic mystery. Readers of all ages will enjoy this story.



Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Beyond the Horizon

 

About the Book

Book: Beyond the Horizon

Author: Penny Zeller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: November 5, 2024

She’s desperate to keep her job.
He’s desperate for solitude.
What is God’s plan in this complicated situation?

Ruby Shepherdson has worked hard to secure her job as a reporter for The Horizon Herald. After a costly mistake, Ruby’s unforgiving boss gives her an ultimatum to either interview the handsome and reclusive Jake Lynton—or lose her job. But each time Ruby has attempted to obtain an interview, Mr. Lynton has refused. Why would anyone who has saved the lives of four people deny recognition? And why does she find herself drawn to the man?

Jake Lynton just wants to be left alone. Haunted by the past, he runs from both guilt and God by leaving home and somehow finding himself in Horizon, Idaho. His hopes of living as a recluse are foiled when a pesky, but beautiful reporter insists he allow her to interview him about a good deed gone awry. Despite Jake’s efforts, Ruby Shepherdson persists, soon endearing herself to him while somehow remaining endlessly annoying.

Jake’s story isn’t the only one Ruby seeks to publish. When rumors of ill dealings come to her attention, she sets forth to uncover the truth—truth someone does not want revealed. As danger emerges and an unanticipated enemy determines to keep Ruby silent, will Jake fit the pieces together in time to rescue her? Or will he lose the woman who has found a place in his heart?

My Review:

When Princess Esther is forced to flee her kingdom and seek refuge with her mother’s family, she has to trust God that he’ll protect her. The trip is not without its difficulties and dangers, but thanks to those who help her, she arrives safely. She is befriended by the kind and fiercely loyal, Reia, who not only helps her find her family’s village but also chooses to make the long and arduous trip of returning to the castle.

This Medieval tale reminded me of the Biblical story of Esther, but with a couple of twists. I enjoyed how Taren plays a role in aiding Esther and confronting the dastardly Malon. Esther is going to make a great queen when the time comes having been through trials and hardships. She understands those in need and has lived among the villagers for an extended period of time.

Things to enjoy:

good vs. evil

strong FMC

lovable side characters

Biblical references

canine companion

I enjoyed the plot and look forward to seeing what will happen to Esther. This is a terrific book for teens through adults and one that I recommend reading.

I received a complimentary copy of the book through Just Read Tours. All opinions expressed are my own with no obligation to write a positive review.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Penny Zeller is known for her heartfelt stories of faith-filled happily ever afters and her passion to impact lives for Christ through fiction. Her books feature tender romance, steady doses of humor, and memorable characters that stay with you long after the last page.

While she has had a love for writing since childhood, Penny began her adult writing career penning articles for national and regional publications on a wide variety of topics. Today Penny is a multi-published author of over two dozen books and is also a fitness instructor, loves the outdoors, and is a flower gardening addict. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, hiking, kayaking, biking, birdwatching, reading, running, and playing volleyball.

Penny resides with her husband and two daughters in small-town America and loves to connect with her readers.

More from Penny

Thank you so much for joining me for the Beyond the Horizon blog tour. I am super excited to share Ruby Shepherdson’s story with you and can’t wait for you to meet newcomer Jake Lynton. Below is an excerpt from the first chapter. Happy reading!

 Horizon, Idaho, 1895

 For a moment, she was the world-famous reporter, Ruby Shepherdson, author of the latest award-winning article.

Ruby closed her eyes and imagined seeing her name below the numerous articles and stories she submitted to Mr. O’Kane, the editor of The Horizon Herald. The editor from the prestigious Boise City Chronicle, who was just happening to visit his mother in Horizon, would peruse the pages of The Horizon Herald and become engrossed in one of Ruby’s engaging articles. He would then invite her to submit a monthly story to his well-read publication.

But alas, such a fanciful dream would have to wait.

Ruby resumed scrubbing one of Papa’s shirts on the washboard. There was no fictional editor from The Boise City Chronicle visiting his mother in Horizon. And until Ruby’s shipment of her Smith Premier typewriter arrived from the R. Altman & Company in St. Louis, Missouri, she would continue to dip her pen in ink and handwrite each and every composition she submitted to the cantankerous man who’d become her boss just one year ago last week.

Not that she minded tending to everyday chores, including laundry on Mondays, for she didn’t. As a matter of fact, Ruby’s highest aspirations were to marry someday and be a wife and mother. But until the Lord saw fit to allow a suitable gent into her life, she would continue on the path of writing.

Ruby hung the shirt on the line and proceeded with washing the next item when she noticed a buggy rounding the curve to their farm. She stood tall and placed her hands on her lower back to stretch the tightness from hunching over the washboard. A closer perusal indicated Wilhelmina, one of Mama’s best friends, was paying them a visit.

Wilhelmina, a permanent smile on her round face, folded Ruby into a hug. “It’s so nice to see you. Your ma and I are planning some new recipe ideas, but first, I was asked to deliver a message.”

It didn’t surprise Ruby that Mama and Wilhelmina would be experimenting with recipes. After the Bible, Mama’s favorite book was Recipes from Augusta’s Kitchen, a book she’d purchased when she and Papa first married. “A message?”

“Yes. Tabitha said to tell you that your special purchase has arrived.”

The air caught in Ruby’s lungs. “My special purchase? It has arrived?”

“That’s what she said.”

Not caring how unladylike it might be, Ruby let out an enthusiastic squeal, threw up her hands in excitement, and danced a little jig.

“Might be that you are thrilled to hear this news,” teased Wilhelmina.

“Oh, yes. Not only thrilled but exhilarated. I’ve waited forever for this momentous occasion.”

Blog Stops

Madi’s Musings, December 10

lakesidelivingsite, December 10

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, December 11

Life on Chickadee Lane, December 11

Lighthouse Academy Blog, December 12 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Pens Pages & Pulses, December 13

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 14

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 15

Texas Book-aholic, December 16

Pause for Tales, December 16

Book Looks by Lisa, December 17

Cover Lover Book Review, December 18

She Lives To Read, December 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 20

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 21

Mary Hake, December 21

For Him and My Family, December 22

Holly’s Book Corner, December 23

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Penny is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54115

Thursday, December 12, 2024

Murder in Season



 Book Description:

Join Countess turned advice columnist Amelia Amesbury as she tries to juggle a new Season and a new murder in this charmingly deadly historical mystery.

"A beautiful debutante, a wealthy widow, and a dead would-be baron. What could be more exciting?"

Countess by day, secret advice columnist by night, Amelia Amesbury has life happily balanced on a quill's edge . . . until her sister Margaret shows up in London under a blanket of scandal and Amelia is catapulted out of mourning and into the ton's unforgiving Season.

However Madge's Season debut is marred by a rather inconvenient death at the dining table as the infamous Mr Radcliffe takes ill and is later confirmed dead by poisoning. With Madge being the last person to have cross words with the soon-to-be baron, the ton's gossip mill - and the police - are looking to pin the murder on her.

Adding to the ton's troubles is a jewellery thief targeting the most lavish of Society's houses. Is the murderer and the thief one in the same? It falls to Amelia once again to uncover the secrets buried deep within the pages before her sister goes down for the crimes.

Perfect for fans of witty historical mystery and Regency romances with a similar feel to Verity Bright and T.E. Kinsey


My Review:


Lady Amelia is quite unique. She is a widowed noble, writes an advice column for the newspaper under a nom de plume, as well as an amateur detective. I enjoyed her sleuthing and reading her advice at the beginning of each chapter. I liked that she wasn’t afraid to call people out if they needed it when asking for advice. 


Amelia is surprised when her mother and unconventional sister, Madge, come for an unexpected visit. Even more surprising is when Madge is left in Amelia’s care and is expected to attend the societal season. She is quite the hoot as she says whatever is on her mind and has a temper too. That temper of hers lands her in hot water and she becomes the number one suspect for the murder of a guest. It’s a very good thing that Amelia won’t stand by and see her sister take the blame for his demise. With many suspects and not a lot of answers, Amelia has to use all of her wits to discover the killer.


I enjoyed that there were two mysteries for Amelia to solve and I also liked the budding romance between her and a good friend, Simon. I am sure this will continue in books that will follow.This is the third book in the Lady of Letters series but can be read as a standalone because the author gives details from previous books. There is mild swearing and a reference to a gay character as a possible reason for the murder.


I received a complimentary copy of the book through AustenProse. All opinions expressed are my own with no obligation to write a review.


AUTHOR BIO

Mary Winters is the author of the Lady of Letters historical mystery series, two cozy mystery series, and several short stories. A longtime reader of historical fiction, Mary set her latest work in Victorian England after being inspired by a trip to London. Since then, she's been busily planning her next mystery - and another trip! 



Wednesday, December 11, 2024

An Honorable Deception




Series: The Imposters #3
Genre: Historical Christian Fiction

In the trying art of balancing investigations and love, a detective must determine his priorities when faced with dangerous circumstances that could threaten everything he holds dear.

As the leader of the Imposters, an elite private investigative firm, Lord Yates Fairfax has made an art of concealing his identity. But when his newest client, the beautiful Lady Alethia Barremore, is shot while leaving their meeting, he throws caution to the wind and rushes to her aid. Though Lady Alethia thought she was only looking for her missing former nanny, she has clearly stumbled upon something much more dangerous.

Lady Lavinia Hemming suspects her longtime friends hold more secrets than they’re willing to admit, and when she stumbles upon the truth that they’re the esteemed Imposters, she recruits herself into the firm. While she is happy for the distraction of an investigation, Lavinia’s own family secrets continue to haunt her. And the one thing bringing laughter back into her life–her friendship with Yates–lands her squarely on the disagreeable side of her best friend: his sister.

Tormented by a past she doesn’t dare voice aloud, Lady Alethia does what she can to help her handsome host, her new friends, and the investigators. But as clues lead them deeper into the dark side of society, Alethia, Yates, and Lavinia learn anew that the gentry isn’t always noble . . . even as they fight to hold fast to their own honor.

My Review: 

Who do you call upon when you are a lady in society and need someone to discreetly investigate a matter? The Imposters, of course! Lady Alethia Barremore’s former ayah is missing and she fears the worst has happened to her. Things turn deadly and it’s up to Yates and his team of investigators to discover what happened to her. Things are not always as they seem, and I was guessing throughout the story who was behind the threats.


I love the Imposters and their unique talents and even more so now with the addition of a group of pickpockets and thieves that help with gathering evidence. The role that they played was perfect! 


Things to Love: 

confessional meetings

cloak and dagger

family and friends

witty banter

circus monkey

Romani family

Barclay and Lucy

faith over fear

exposing darkness

auditorium incident


This is the third book in the Imposters series. It can be read as a standalone, but it helps to have had some of the background of the other characters. The complex plot, fast-paced action, and romantic relationships make this a book that is hard to put down.


*Brothels, abuse, and trafficking are central to the story, but not described in detail.

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, NetGalley, and JustRead Tours. All opinions expressed are my own with no obligation to write a review.


Purchase Links 

http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/an-honorable-deception/413350
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/209351074-an-honorable-deception 

* If you'd like a chance to win all three books in the series and a $20 Amazon gift card, see my Instagram post. https://www.instagram.com/booklooks_lisa/

There Comes a Midnight Hour

Description:  Cloaked in the shadows at a midnight masquerade, a killer lies in wait. Dancers waltz to and fro—completely unaware of the dan...