Fascinating! 'The Debutante's Code' - Thorndike & Swann Regency Mysteries 1 - by Erica Vetsch

 

About the book:

Jane Austen meets Sherlock Holmes in this new Regency mystery series   Newly returned from finishing school, Lady Juliette Thorndike is ready to debut in London society. Due to her years away, she hasn't spent much time with her parents, and sees them only as the flighty, dilettante couple the other nobles love.  But when they disappear, she discovers she never really knew them at all. They've been living double lives as government spies--and they're only the latest in a long history of espionage that is the family's legacy.   Now Lady Juliette is determined to continue their work. Mentored by her uncle, she plunges into the dangerous world of spies. From the glittering ballrooms of London to the fox hunts, regattas, and soirees of country high society, she must chase down hidden clues, solve the mysterious code her parents left behind, and stay out of danger. All the while, she has to keep her endeavors a secret from her best friend and her suitors--not to mention the nosy, irritatingly handsome Bow Street runner, who suspects her of a daring theft.   Can Lady Juliette outwit her enemies and complete her parents' last mission?   Best-selling author Erica Vetsch is back with a rollicking, exciting new series destined to be a hit with Regency readers who enjoy a touch of mystery in their love stories. Fans of Julie Klassen, Sarah Ladd, and Anne Perry will love the wit, action, and romance. < My review: This was a fascinating book about cyphers and investigations with some romance,  all during the Regency time period!  Lady Juliette is smart and resourceful and it was very cool to see her solving puzzles.  I felt bad for her as she felt abandoned by her parents at first and was thrust into her season without their guidance but admired her poise and determination to help.  She was also a woman of prayer and integrity.  Daniel was a fascinating character with a mystery all of his own.   Some mysteries get answered here and some are yet to come in future books.  He had amazing self-control to not react when people, especially his boss, belittled him and I admired that and his determination to get to the bottom of what was going on.  I loved that some characters from a previous series show up in the story.  I can't wait for the next one and I highly recommend it! I received this book free from Read with Audra.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.   Click here to read an excerpt.

About the Author

Learn more about Erica Vetsch and her books at www.ericavetsch.com. She can also be found on Facebook (@EricaVetschAuthor), Instagram (@EricaVetsch) and Pinterest (Erica Vetsch).

Sweet Christmas Romance! 'A Picture of Christmas' - Winter, Montana #4 - by Bell Renshaw

 

About the book:

Rhett Bradley’s home for the holidays, but it’s not by choice. Faced with a potential backward step at his company in Seattle, he’s forced to take time off, but somehow being back in Winter, Montana isn’t the dead end he was expecting.

Olive Fitzsimons has a secret email friend who’s made her new job at the mayor’s office bearable. Still, putting her true passions aside for the political hubbub in Winter hasn’t been a step in the right direction for her. Sure, she can make her rent payments, but is she happy?

As Rhett and Olive continue to run into each other in the small town amid holiday festivals and sparkling Christmas lights, their once fiery opposition starts to settle into something more. But Olive’s interest in her email friend has grown into a crush and Rhett will be leaving Winter in in the New Year, won’t he?

Join the familiar cast of characters in Winter, Montana as the community joins together in the spirit of Christmas where hearts soften and a kiss between opposites is the perfect holiday miracle.

My review:

This was such a cute story and one of my favorite plots.  Besides the secret pen pal there's also a redemption story as Olive's first impressions of Rhett are not favorable but he starts to change.  There was some fun banter that made me laugh and some sweet romantic moments.  I liked how we see both of them grow, Rhett starting to question his life choices in Seattle and that he's become a workaholic  and Olive wondering if she can make a go of her dream of living off of her art instead of having to work at the mayor's office.  Olive was such a great character, generous and dedicated to doing what's right, even if it's not easy or would cost her something.  I did wish that Olive and Rhett would have had a conversation about her faith and whether or not he believed.  There's also a good conversation between Rhett and his dad where his dad talked about forgiveness and letting anger go.  I did question some decisions Rhett was planning on making so I was frustrated with him but overall I liked seeing his redemption story play out.  This book worked well as a stand-alone as I hadn't read the first three.  This was a wonderful Christmas story and I highly recommend it!

I received a free kindle copy of this book from JustRead Tours.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

Amazing! 'Blood from a Stone' - The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone 5 - by David James Warren

 

About the book:

It's Rembrandt Stone's last chance to get things right--and to apprehend a killer who promises tragedy for him in the future. But one mistake in the past might cost him everything he's worked so hard to save.

The continuing adventures of Rembrandt Stone from the creative minds of James L. Rubart, Susan May Warren and newcomer David Curtis Warren, writing as DAVID JAMES WARREN.

My review:

This was another amazing book in the series but also a hard one because of what Rembrandt wants to fix and because the stakes are even higher.  There are some crazy twists, he continues to show that he's trying to be a better man and undo some past mistakes but I also questioned his decisions a couple of times.  He has a great conversation with his dad about God and purpose and a good reminder for me and him that you can only do what you've been given to do and to not take on what isn't meant to be your job.  The ending was gut-wrenching, as usual, and you wonder again how in the world he'll fix this or if he even can.  I highly recommend this book, as I do the whole series and you must read them in order!

I received a free kindle copy of this book from JustRead Tours.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own. 

Amazing Conclusion! 'Heart of Stone' - The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone 6 - by David James Warren

 

About the book:

Rembrandt Stone can't believe the world he's returned to. It must change. But he'll have to break time's rules and undo his past to create a future he can live with.

The continuing adventures of Rembrandt Stone from the creative minds of James L. Rubart, Susan May Warren and newcomer David Curtis Warren, writing as DAVID JAMES WARREN.

My review:

Wow!  What an ending!  This was an amazing series with so many twists and turns!  There were definitely some surprises and I loved how things came together.  There was more of Rembrandt's faith journey in this story than the others as he comes to some realizations.  There's some romance and police procedural work plus some great action!  I definitely suggest reading the whole series as it makes the most sense and you get the greatest satisfaction seeing all Rembrandt goes through to get his family back.  I highly recommend this book!

I received a free kindle copy of this book from JustRead Tours.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.