To Spark a Match

About the Book: 

After five unsuccessful Seasons on the marriage mart, Miss Adelaide Duveen has resigned herself to the notion that she’s destined to remain a spinster forever--a rather dismal prospect, but one that will allow her to concentrate on her darling cats and books. However, when she inadvertently stumbles upon Mr. Gideon Abbott engaged in a clandestine activity during a dinner party, Adelaide finds herself thrust into a world of intrigue that resembles the plots in the spy novels she devours.

Former intelligence agent Gideon Abbott feels responsible for Adelaide after society threatens to banish her because of the distraction she caused to save his investigation. Hoping to return the favor, he turns to a good friend--and one of high society’s leaders--to take Adelaide in hand and turn her fashionable. When danger surrounds them and Adelaide finds herself a target of the criminals in Gideon’s case, the spark of love between them threatens to be quenched for good--along with their lives.

My Review: 

If you are ever in a bad mood and want to read something to get you out of your funk, books by author Jen Turano are sure to help! From the opening scene of Adelaide Duveen’s embarrassing showing of her embroidered unmentionables at a crowded ballroom, I was laughing at the craziness of it all. I couldn’t wait to see what other faux pas would happen to her. Adelaide is an oddity in the elite society of New England. She finds herself in hazardous situations; wears unusual clothing; is a bluestocking; hangs out in an old bookstore, and has an uncanny mind for observation and details. One of her latest reads was about spies and she is certain that she would make a good one herself! Gideon Abbott is intrigued and also a bit wary of Adelaide. Besides having to rescue her from harmful situations, she is able to deduce things that he wants to keep a secret. Including the fact that he is more than the accounting co-owner he claims to be. Charged with helping a friend and looking for a link to crimes that are taking place throughout the city, Gideon has no idea how Adelaide ends up right in the middle of it. I was laughing at how she could turn things around so Gideon ended up suggesting things he never would’ve allowed if it was anyone but her. There are so many things to love about this story! Charming characters, cats, wardrobe malfunctions, and with a mystery to solve this is a book that checks all of the boxes for a terrific story. I enthusiastically recommend this second book in the Matchmaker series for readers of all ages. You can read this as a standalone if you like. I was given a copy of this book from the publisher as part of the Austenprose book tour. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.

The Vanishing at Loxby Manor

With plenty of red herrings, unreliable, suspicious people sharing cryptic tales, I was left wondering what was really happening and who to believe. Masterfully told, The Vanishing at Loxby Manor includes spine tingling Gothic elements of old buildings falling into disrepair, women in distress, bumps in the night, omens, and an ominous mystery. Combining all of these things with a romantic element was just what was needed to make this a five star book for me.  

When I read a mystery, I love to be able to see if I can solve it with the clues that have been given. Ms.Wilson gave just enough breadcrumbs to lead me down a path, only to have me stop and retrace my (mental) steps time and again. I was thoroughly engaged in the story and was delighted to have solved it, even if it was just right before all was revealed. If you like Gothic mysteries, I highly recommend reading this. 

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC. I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

About the Book: 

A story of second chances and secrets, this mysterious Regency romance will transport you to 19th-century England as one young lady reunites with her childhood love to find his missing sister. 

Her friend is missing.

After five years abroad, Charity Halliwell finally returns to Loxby Manor, the home of dear friends - and her lost love. No longer a young girl, she is now haunted by a painful secret and the demise of her dreams. Instead of the healing and happiness she hopes to find, she encounters a darkness lurking in the shadows of the once-familiar house. When her friend, Seline, disappears the very night of her arrival, Charity is determined to uncover the truth. 

Her only hope is the man who broke her heart.

Branded a coward, Piers Cavanaugh has lived the last five years as an outcast far from his family home. When his sister presumably elopes with a stable hand, Piers joins forces with an unlikely partner - the one woman he thought he’d never see again. Together, they launch an investigation that leads to strange nightly meetings in the ruins of an old abbey and disturbing whispers of a secret organization. The more they learn, the more desperate the situation becomes. 

The house seems determined to keep its secrets.

As they struggle to piece together the clues, Charity and Piers also endeavor to rebuild their friendship. One cryptic letter changed everything between them. To find happiness, they will have to overcome the grief and shame keeping them apart. But first they must discover why Seline vanished and confront the growing fear that she may never return. 

Murder at the Village Fete

This was my introduction to the Tommy and Evelyn Christie mysteries and I was immediately drawn in by the funny opening of Evelyn's puppy running off with their guest's fur stole. Having a humorous scene for a cozy mystery was an interesting and unique idea. I loved it!

I appreciated the the cast of characters and a brief description of each of them at the beginning of the book. I found it helpful in establishing their relationships to each other and their role in the story. I referred to this a couple of times while I was reading.

Catherine Coles keep you guessing the murderer with several possible suspects. I was able to figure it out and that gave me a great deal of satisfaction. :) While it is the second book in the series, you could read it as a stand alone. But, I found myself wanting to read the first novel to see what mystery Tommy and Evelyn solved and anticipating the next mystery. I hope there will be many more books to follow.

I received an advance review copy from Book Sirens, and I am reviewing this voluntarily.

Description:

Downton Abbey crossed with Murder, She Wrote...set in a Yorkshire village!

Evelyn Christie, the new Lady Northmoor, is looking forward to hosting the local village fete in the grounds of Hessleham Hall.

However, the last thing she expects to see on the morning of the fete is the local Member of Parliament face down in the stream at the edge of the lawn! Evelyn and her husband, Tommy, are again called into action to find the dastardly murderer before he strikes again!

If you enjoy the glamour of bygone eras like 1920s Downton Abbey and gentle, cozy mysteries set in the English countryside then you will love this new series. 

More about Catherine Coles

Catherine Coles has written stories since the day she could form sentences, she can barely believe that making things up in her head classes as work!!

Catherine lives in the north east of England where she shares her home with her children and two spoiled dogs who have no idea they are not human!