I love how the outfit the model wears on the cover plays into the story at one point! I've noticed it with all of Karen's books and I really appreciate the extra touch the publisher puts on each of her covers. :)
Description:
Men are optional. That's the credo Emma Chandler's suffragette aunts preached and why she started a successful women's colony in Harper's Station, Texas. But when an unknown assailant tries repeatedly to drive them out, Emma admits they might need a man after all. A man who can fight--and she knows just the one.
Malachi Shaw finally earned the respect he craved by becoming an explosives expert for the railroad. Yet when Emma's plea arrives, he bolts to Harper's Station to repay the girl who once saved his life. Only she's not a girl any longer. She's a woman with a mind of her own and a smile that makes a man imagine a future he doesn't deserve.
As the danger intensifies, old feelings grow and deepen, but Emma and Mal will need more than love to survive.
(Can you hear the "dun-dun-duh!" in that last line?)
About the Author:
Winner of the HOLT Medallion and the Carol Award and a finalist for the RITA and Christy Award, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer writes historical romance to give the world more happily-ever-afters. Karen makes her home in Texas, with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at www.karenwitemeyer.com.
My Review: 5 stars!
I’ve been so excited to read this book by Karen Witemeyer, mainly because she’s one of my very favorite historical fiction authors, but also because I’d heard so many wonderful things about it! I have to say that it definitely lived up to the sterling reviews shared with me and exceeded every expectation I may have had. The characters are fantastic (I’ll gush over Malachi shortly) and I always love how unique Ms. Witemeyer’s books are - plus, this one features a mystery, which just added another level of enjoyment to it for me. I’m also super excited, because it sounds like this book might be the first in a series (I’m hoping)!
I’m a big fan of historical fiction and Karen’s books are always by far some of my favorites. I’m always so excited to read one of her books, even without knowing a single thing about the storyline. I love her way with words and her attention to the smallest detail. I had no idea what was involved to be in demolition in the 1800s, or how a women’s colony could possibly work, but she brings both of these unique things to life between the covers of this book. I fall in love with her characters and I so enjoy how they break away from the norm of what I might expect in a western novel. Even when her books do edge a little more toward the traditional, there’s still a distinctive “something” that sets her books apart from the rest. Oh, and I have to brag on the mystery at least a little bit! I very much enjoyed having a mystery in the forefront of this story - it kept me on my toes, what with guessing who the culprit might be and wondering what might happen next. It played perfectly into the storyline and she set it wonderfully, leaving little clues and keeping the pacing just right to keep the story moving, without rushing or dragging it out.
Now, for my favorite part: the characters! I adore the opportunity to gush about the heroes (and there will be gushing!) and brag on the great heroines that round them out. In this case, Emma Chandler is the heroine and I did adore her! She was raised primarily by spinster aunts who taught her that women can do or be anything, and they don’t necessarily need a man to be happy. Which was scandalous at the time, and Emma soon found that not many shared their opinions. I loved her stubbornness and her determination to protect her ladies, even when that meant making hard decisions. Despite being self-assured, she struggles with knowing what the right choice is and doubts whether she’s the best person to be in charge. The doubts and fears are what make her so realistic that she climbed right off the page and into my heart. I loved the realism and seeing the softer side of her character: the one what wants to make the best choice possible, but doesn’t always hear God’s voice on what that is, or the one that treads ahead, rather than waiting for an answer.
Malachi Shaw is the hero in this tale, and what a great hero he makes! From meeting him the first time as a thirteen-year-old boy staring down a bossy angel, to getting to know him a decade later as a man responsible for blowing things up and in desperate need of a shave, he definitely makes the list of my favorite heroes! Malachi has spent his life just surviving, and trying to earn the respect of those around him. He lives with his heart stowed safely behind his walls and if his life seems a little empty, at least he’s not getting hurt. I loved watching Emma slowly pull him from his shell and the interactions between them alternated between making me laugh and sigh. Malachi is just as stubborn and strong willed as Emma, as well as being protective and rather cynical. He also has a streak of kindness toward the Aunts, Emma, and her ladies. I so enjoyed seeing this big man showing kindness to ladies who had had so little of it in their lives.
As aforementioned, I loved the relationship between Emma and Malachi! It started off a little slowly at first, but then slowly built throughout. I enjoyed the fact that they knew one another before, which added another layer to their getting to know each other as adults. Their history also kept the romance from being too fast or unbelievable, what with the somewhat short timeline of this story. There’s also a side romance going on, which I’m really hoping will be part of another book, because I really want to know what happens between the characters!
Overall, I give this book probably closer to 10 stars, rather than just 5, but websites are contrary things and don’t allow for the extra ratings for super amazing books.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical romance with a side of mystery!
Many thanks to Bethany House Publishing for allowing me the pleasure of reviewing this book! I'm required to state that this is my honest review and I have not been compensated for it in any way. Okay, legalities aside, thank you dear blog reader friend for taking the time to read my review! I hope you enjoyed it and will consider stopping in to say "hi!" again!
Have a smile-filled day!
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*Squeal* I am so excited for this! Okay, so this is my first time participating in a cover reveal, so you'll have to forgive any gaffs I make and be prepared for excessive exclamation points in the following post. I'm so excited!
Nadine Brandes' first two books were epic, and I can't wait to read this next one, but the cover - oh, the cover! It's so . . . compelling? Awesome? Fascinating? Any and all of those words will work. And for those who have read the other books, it's an adventure just studying it, because at least my brain is twirling around, trying to guess what might be waiting for me between the pages of this soon-to-be-in-my-hands book! Gah! I'm so stoked (and very impatient!)!
In order to string out the suspense a tad longer, here are the covers of the first two books, so you can get an idea of what's to come.
You can find my review for A Time to Die here, along with a synopsis of the book and purchase links. Seeing this book is what caused my interest in the dystopian genre. I was fascinated by the idea behind the story and thought about it for weeks before I was finally brave enough to try it! Happily, I wasn't disappointed!
And the second book:
Again, link to review, as well as details and purchase links can be found here (this one was my favorite, so far . . . am I allowed to say that?) The end of this book was just . . . ah! What's going to happen next?! But, on the bright side I also have a lot of incentive to grab A Time to Rise as soon as it hits shelves and devour it! I have to know how it ends!
And finally . . . .drum roll . . . . .
TA-DA! *sigh* Isn't it awesome?! (if you don't like it, please don't bust my bubble, okay?)
Oh, and I get to share the synopsis, too!
What more can you sacrifice than your life?
Parvin Blackwater is dead.
At least…that’s what the Council—and the world—thinks. But her sacrifice tore down part of the Wall long enough to stir up hope and rebellion in the people. Now she will rise again. Strong, free, and fearless.
Parvin and Solomon must uncover the mysterious clues that Jude left behind in order to destroy the projected Wall once and for all. Meanwhile, the Council schemes to new levels of technology in its attempts to keep the people contained. Can a one-handed Radical and a scarred ex-Enforcer really bring shalom to the world?
How fantastic does it sound?! I can't wait! Unfortunately, I do have to wait, though only until October 14th. We'll (I'll) make it until then, right?
If you need help keeping track, someone much better with computers than I, created this countdown clock for A Time to Rise!
If you have Goodreads, you can now add A Time to Rise to your To-Be-Read list and get notifications of giveaways and the like: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27230665-a-time-to-rise
And, in celebration of this fantabulous cover, Nadine has a super cool giveaway going on that might show up below. Maybe. If I can figure this out - if not, you can also follow this link and it should work fine.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Oh, and you can find Nadine's main blog post here, which should be super awesome and probably include a bit more info than what I have.
In addition, if you want to follow her on social media, there are links below, so that you can keep up with the goings on and get updates when anything new or cool happens!
Okay! I think that's all! I'm going to go fangirl in a corner now, and leave you to getting on with your life, or maybe just staring at the awesomeness of this cover - either way, have a delightful day!
You can find Nadine Brandes on:
Her Website: http://nadinebrandes.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/NadineBrandesAuthor
Instagram: http://instagram.com/NadineBrandes
Twitter: http://twitter.com/NadineBrandes
Post script:
It worked! Adding the giveaway worked! And it didn't break anything! I'm sure no one else cares, but this is so exciting for me! Okay, I'm good - you may resume your life now. ;)
"She'd learned long ago that courage was not the absence of fear, but the willingness to confront it." Stella West
Description:
Stella West's artistic talent made her the toast of London, but when her beloved sister dies under mysterious circumstances she abandons everything and heads for Boston. With single-minded determination she fights to pierce the ring of secrecy surrounding her sister's death. Upon meeting Romulus White, a publisher with connections into every important power circle in the city, she quickly realizes he could be a valuable ally in navigating Boston society.
Romulus has been pursuing Stella for years to create art for his magazine. Her luminous illustrations are the missing piece he needs to propel his magazine to the forefront of the industry, and he will stop at nothing to get her on board.
Sparks fly the instant they join forces, but Romulus is unsettled by the unwelcome attraction he feels toward Stella, fearing she might be the one woman who could disrupt his hard-won independence. He may have finally met his match in Stella, but is helping her solve the mystery of her sister's death worth the risk to his publishing empire?
About the Author:
Elizabeth Camden is the author of eight historical novels and has been honored with both the RITA Award and the Christy Award. With a master's in history and a master's in library science, she is a research librarian by day and scribbles away on her next novel by night. She lives with her husband in Florida. Learn more at www.elizabethcamden.com.
My Review: 4 stars
Elizabeth Camden is one of my favorite historical authors and she rarely disappoints me. Her books are always so creative and dare to focus on topics that few others do: Watch-making, opium smuggling, tuberculosis, to name a few. This one falls right in with the others, with the focus being on lithography and magazine production, with a great mystery thrown into the mix. I loved the adventure and getting a glimpse into a setting that is unique and colorful!
Ms. Camden is an excellent writer and she always does a great job with the historical details and bring life to things that are so foreign to the modern world. Her words paint in broad strokes what Boston was like in 1897, with the construction of the first subway system and the incorporation of electricity into everyday life. I also really loved the mystery and seeing what investigation may have been like before the turn of the century. She definitely kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat, wondering what might happen next!
The characters were also excellent! Ms. Camden has built a reputation for creating characters that are not at all the norm, and these two definitely follow suit! Stella is an outspoken, creative, eccentric odd duck. She can be brash, but she can also be a lady when it suits her will. She is often abrupt, determined, and so many label her difficult. I frankly didn’t love her at once, but she slowly grew on me, as I saw more of who she is and not just how she behaves under exacting circumstances. Romulus is almost the exact opposite. He has many friends and is known to be easygoing with an attitude of good cheer more often than not. He can be determined, but he is so easily distracted by new things that catch his fancy, it doesn’t often last long. I loved his character because of the openness found in him. He is rather insecure, particularly when it comes to love, because of his flighty demeanor. He has a great many interests and loves getting lost in learning all he can about them. I immensely enjoyed getting to know his character! Oh, and I can’t forget to mention their dialogue! I loved the sparring between Stella and Romulus, as they butted heads, but also just generally picked on one another. I found myself laughing at the most random times, because it may have been started out as a serious scene, but something they would say would make me smile instead of becoming serious with the turn in conversation.
Honestly, there were a couple small things that bothered me a bit. First, as I’ve already mentioned, I didn’t particularly like Stella for a while. She’s an interesting character, but she’s so selfish and self-centered for much of the story. That made it rather difficult for me to get into the book right off. Though, to be fair, her behavior allowed for an excellent opportunity to add faith to the story. And she did grow on me after a bit, so I can’t be entirely put out with her. I also found it rather strange that the story comes from the villain’s view point just once, rather randomly near the end, then we never hear from them again. That was just a little odd. Despite those points, I did quite enjoy this book and am anxious to see what this author writes next!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction that breaks away from the norm!
I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley for my honest review, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
You can also find my review here on Fiction411.com!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my review! I hope you enjoyed it! I'll hopefully be getting back into a regular schedule of posting - though honestly, I don't know that I've ever really been that dependable. I shall endeavor to see what I can do.
Have a delightful day!
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So, you know those random things that you "think" you did, and then you convince yourself that you actually did them, because honestly, you can't remember? Posting this review was one of those things for me - oops! I seriously thought I did it! And then I was going through my saved reviews and came across this one with a mental conversation along the lines of "what?! I thought I did that!! Did I seriously forget?! Really??" So anyway, my sanity is still hanging on by a thread, apparently, and as they say better late than never, right?
Description:
In Dee Henderson's "Missing," a Wyoming sheriff is called to Chicago when his elderly mother goes missing. Paired with a savvy Chicago cop, the two realize her disappearance is no accident, and a race against the clock begins.
Dani Pettrey returns to Alaska with "Shadowed," introducing readers to the parents of her beloved McKenna clan. Adventure, romance, and danger collide when a young fisherman nets the body of an open-water swimming competitor who may actually be a possible Russian defector.
Lynette Eason's "Blackout" delivers the story of a woman once implicated in a robbery gone wrong. The loot has never been found--but her memory of that night has always been unreliable. Can she remember enough to find her way to safety when the true culprit comes after her?
About the Authors:
Dee Henderson is the New York Times bestselling author of more than a dozen novels. She is a lifelong resident of Illinois. Visit her at www.deehenderson.com.
(Unfortunately, I'm still unsuccessful in my attempts to find a photo of Dee Henderson, though I'm positive she's a lovely lady.)
Dani Pettrey is the award-winning author of the acclaimed Alaskan Courage series. She lives in Maryland. Find her at www.danipettrey.com
Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of the Women of Justice series. She lives in South Carolina. Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com.
My Review: 5 stars
I’m not usually a fan of novellas, in a collection or otherwise, but when I saw this one with three of my favorite suspense authors, I couldn’t resist giving it a go and I definitely enjoyed it! Bethany House is building a reputation for creating great novella collections that maybe allow readers to be introduced to new-to-them authors, or maybe just build on characters from said authors previous works. I’m generally fairly leery of novellas, even from my favorite authors, because I love long books. It’s a statement of fact and I often find novellas far too short for my tastes, or they simply feel rushed. I can very happily say that I didn’t find that to be the case with any of the stories in this collection!
The first book in the collection is “Missing” by Dee Henderson. I’m a huge fan of her work, so I was both thrilled and a little nervous to read this story. I didn’t know if I’d like the shortened tale or if I could accept the fact it would be a little over 100 pages long, instead of the now familiar 400+ pages. Thankfully, these questions were quickly put to rest as I easily became engrossed in the search for John’s mother and the mystery of what happened. I was rather sorry that it ended so quickly, but everything was tied up well, without any loose threads or the sense of it being rushed. The characters were easy to get to know and like, and I enjoyed that Ms. Henderson was able to weave in some important wisdom, even with the mystery taking dominance.
The second book is “Shadowed” by Dani Pettrey, which is something of a prequel to her Alaskan Courage series. It follows the story of Ben McKenna and Libby Jennings (parents to the McKenna siblings that are the focus of the aforementioned series) and how they met. I enjoyed this glimpse into the past and getting to know the parents of the siblings I so fell in love with! You don’t have to have read the books to love this story, though you may find yourself snatching them up as soon as you’ve finished it! It’s filled with her now-trademark suspense and kept me guessing! I also have to say that I did appreciate slowing down for a moment here and there to see Ben and Libby getting to know one another and falling in love. I also really enjoyed the epilogue at the end that tied it up well and kept the romance between them from feeling rushed.
The final book in the collection is “Blackout” by Lynette Eason. This story may have been my favorite of those here, though I did enjoy them all. I think it’s my favorite because I very much love Ms. Eason’s way with suspense. If the others kept me hooked, then this one also had me on the edge of my seat! I wanted to know what would happen next, and of course, whodunnit! I really liked Macey and Chad’s characters, as well as Lilly, who I’m hoping may have a story of her own, at some point (hint, hint). This story did feel a tad rushed compared to the others, but it actually worked well, with the story and how everything was playing out so quickly.
Overall, I really can’t think of anything that I didn’t like about this collection, except you know, that these weren’t individual full length novels. But they were all great reads and I have to highly recommend them to anyone who enjoys suspense. And I’m so excited for the next work each of the authors has releasing, hopefully soon!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
Thank you so much for stopping by to read my review! I think I need to start post-it-noting reminders to myself somewhere, so that I actually remember to do things! Or, maybe I need to start writing down whether or not I actually completed a task! That might work, at least until I lose the list . . . . Anyway, thanks so much! If you're interested, links are below. And as always, have a delightful day!
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First off, I have to apologize profusely to Ms. Turano for taking so very long to share my review! I am so sorry! Jen very graciously sent me a copy of this fantastic book, and it took me almost three months to write a review! I've actually read it twice now, since I didn't want to attempt to write a review from my obviously very faulty memory! Again, I've very sorry!
Description:
Lucetta Plum is an actress on the rise in New York City, but is forced to abandon her starring role when a fan's interest turns threatening. Lucetta's widowed friend, Abigail Hart, is delighted at the opportunity to meddle in Lucetta's life and promptly whisks her away to her grandson's estate to hide out.
Bram Haverstein may appear to simply be a somewhat eccentric gentleman of means, but a mysterious career and a secret fascination with a certain actress mean there's much more to him than society knows.
Lucetta, who has no interest in Abigail's matchmaking machinations, has the best intentions of remaining cordial but coolly distant to Bram. But when she can't ignore the strange and mysterious things going on in his house, it'll take more than good intentions to keep her from trying to discover who Bram is behind the part he plays.
About the Author:
Jen Turano, author of the Ladies of Distinction series and the A Class of Their Own series, is a graduate of the University of Akron. She is a member of ACFW and lives in a suburb of Denver, Colorado.
My Review: 5 stars!
As I’ve stated previously, I always hate when a series I adore comes to an end and the final book is always difficult for me because I know I’ll have to say “farewell” to the characters by the time I turn the last page. That being said, I still adored this book and I was so excited to get to read Lucetta’s book! Ms. Turano is one of my go-to authors, particularly when I need a laugh, and I’ve yet to find a book of hers that I could say wasn’t a favorite. I’ve heard several people say that this is their favorite story of hers to date, but I don’t know that I can choose just one of her books to hold that distinction. The choice is just too difficult! So I’ll just say that my favorite is whichever one I’m currently reading or have just finished.
One of the things I enjoy most about Jen’s books is always the dialogue - I love the play on words and the quirky things her characters fix on that becomes a running joke throughout the story. I also always love the descriptions and the details that color each setting so vividly! She brings such life to her characters and the situations they find themselves caught in! As in her other books, Lucetta, Bram, and all of the other characters, find themselves in quirky situations that appear to be through no fault of their own, but they are so amusing! And I love how she includes animals in most of her books and gives them quirks of their own (Geoffrey the goat, for example). I’ve been eagerly anticipating Lucetta’s book since meeting her in After a Fashion and getting just a few glimpses of this obviously eccentric lady with a heart of gold. Her story is definitely unique, as are all of the others, and I loved getting to know Lucetta much better! She is quirky, but she is also bold, and a bit stubborn, and kind, and independent, and does her best to look after her adopted family. Bram ended up being a great hero for her, despite their somewhat rough start. He is very old-fashioned, and chivalrous, and kind, and his collection of misfits are wonderful! I loved following them as he learned to love the real Lucetta, eccentricities and all, and she fell in love with him, despite the oddities that seemed to surround him. Speaking of those oddities, I really enjoyed the bit of mystery that surrounds Ravenwood! The unusual things that happened kept me laughing and trying to guess what might be going on - I was wrong, in case you were wondering. But the mystery was still fun! And I appreciated how it was wrapped up.
Oh, and I have to mention that I was so happy that the characters from the previous books came back! I loved having Abigail, Archibald, Millie, and Harriet back, as well as meeting several new people, my favorite of which probably being Mr. Skukman or maybe Ruby Haverstein . . . . Both of them are equally delightful, so I don’t know that I’m qualified to make that decision without bias. If you decide to read the book (which I’m hoping you will), you’ll have to come to that conclusion on your own.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys humorous historical fiction!
I received a copy of this book from the author for my honest review, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
Thank you so much for reading my review! I hope you enjoyed it! After I finished rereading this book, I went back and had to read After a Fashion and In Good Company again! ( to see my review for each book click on the respective title) I may have enjoyed them even more the second time! *sigh* Such great books! Anyway, I'll stop blathering now.
Have a delightful day!
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This seemed a rather fitting book to share today, it being Memorial Day and all. My undying gratitude to everyone who has fought to protect this country - I can't even express . . . especially after reading a book like this and learning more about WWII and the many men who didn't come home. I can never say "thank you" enough. But I am so incredibly grateful to every man and woman who has risked their life to protect the freedoms I so often take for granted. Thank you!
Description:
For plucky Lillian Avery, America's entry into World War II means a chance to prove herself as a pharmacist in Boston. The challenges of her new job energize her. But society boy Ensign Archer Vandenberg's attentions only annoy--even if he is her brother's best friend.
During the darkest days of the war, Arch's destroyer hunts German U-boats in vain as the submarines sink dozens of merchant ships along the East Coast. Still shaken by battles at sea, Arch notices his men also struggle with their nerves--and with drowsiness. Could there be a link to the large prescriptions for sedatives Lillian has filled? The two work together to answer that question, but can Arch ever earn Lillian's trust and affection?
About the Author:
Sarah Sundin is the author of Through Waters Deep, as well as Wings of the Nightingale and the Wings of Glory series. A graduate of UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy, she works on call as a hospital pharmacist. During WWII, her grandfather served as a pharmacist's mate (medic) in the Navy and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force. Sarah lives in California. Visit www.sarahsundin.com for more information.
My Review: 4.5 stars
Anchor in the Storm is the second book in Sarah Sundin’s, Waves of Freedom series. It picks up shortly after the first book left off and follows Archer Vandenberg, Jim Avery’s best friend. I was very excited for this book, since I really loved Arch and can happily say that it did not disappoint in the least.
Ms. Sundin has made a name for herself in the historical genre, with the focus on WWII and the upheaval of the times. She always does a fantastic job of capturing this era and the sense of the time. This particular series is set at the beginning of the War, when America was just joining in and it was a very uncertain time for the nation. I’ve long had a fascination with history, specifically WWII, so Sarah’s books always captivate me and this one is certainly no different. She’s also begun including mysteries in her books with this series, something I immensely enjoy! This one kept me guessing for a while, though I did figure a bit of it out before the characters did, it was still fun to contemplate “whodunit” while appreciating the rest of the story.
Lillian Avery is a very unique character. She’s strong, bold, very blunt, and isn’t that sweet or soft. She has a thick barrier between herself and the world’s opinion of her and it keeps her from connecting with others. She’s also an amputee, something that isn’t mentioned much in fiction. It starts out as a touchy topic for her, but after a while she’s able to joke about it and it no longer holds her back from her dreams. I loved her resilience and determination to the right thing, no matter the cost. She has her struggles and her doubts and fears, but they don’t keep her from fighting for others.
I really enjoyed getting to know Archer Vandenberg much better in this book. I vaguely recall him being something of a rogue in the first book and he’s still a flirt here. Much of his story is heavier. He struggles with PTSD, before they were able to put a label on it. They called it nerves and told soldiers to “buck up,” or else they were discharged. I loved how real Arch is, as he worked to do his job and care for his crew, all the while struggling with something he couldn’t control. He never comes across as weak or less than because of his issues, but rather they seem to make him a better man. Both he and Lillian learn to trust God and that He truly is their only anchor in the storms of life. I loved the message that is illustrated through Arch’s character.
My only negative comment is that I thought the tension between Lillian and Arch, the issue that causes them to split for a time, seemed a bit ridiculous. I really enjoyed their relationship: how Arch teaches Lillian to see herself in a different light, how Lillian allows Arch to be “weak” and never faults him for his “nerves.” But that part of it seemed a bit overblown. I know the author was trying to stretch it out a bit further to allow time for the final climax of the mystery and the suspense, but I wish she’d handled it a bit differently. This is mostly just a nitpick of mine, though truth be told, it really didn’t detract from the story much at all.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the next one! I can’t wait to find out whose story is next!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and read my review! I hope you enjoyed it. Now, get off the Internet and go hug a friend or relative! ;) And thank a veteran!
Have a delightful day!
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I'm going to be honest (when am I not, really?). I don't particularly care for this cover. It's a little weird (this from the girl who just read Steampunk) and though it does fit with the story, it isn't like Dee's other books. Which maybe was the point - I don't know. But while I loved what's between the covers, I don't much like them (I can't even remember what the back cover looks like [gets up to check] *concedes* the back cover is actually pretty cool).
Description:
Evie Blackwell loves her life as an Illinois State Police detective . . . mostly. She's very skilled at investigations and has steadily moved up through the ranks. She would like to find Mr. Right, but she has a hard time imagining how marriage could work, considering the demands of her job.
Gabriel Thane is a lifetime resident of Carin County and now its sheriff, a job he loves. Gabe is committed to upholding the law and cares deeply for the residents he's sworn to protect. He too would like to find a lifetime companion, a marriage like his parents have.
When Evie arrives in Carin, Illinois, it's to help launch a new task force dedicated to reexamining unsolved crimes across the state. Spearheading this trial run, Evie will work with the sheriff's department on a couple of its most troubling missing-persons cases. As she reexamines old evidence to pull out a few tenuous new leads, she unearths a surprising connection . . . possibly to a third cold case. Evie's determined to solve the cases before she leaves Carin County, and Sheriff Thane, along with his family, will be key to those answers.
About the Author:
Dee Henderson is the author of numerous novels, including Taken, Undetected, Unspoken, Full Disclosure, and the acclaimed O'Malley series. Her books have won or been nominated for several prestigious industry awards, such as the RITA Award, the Christy Award, and the ECPA Gold Medallion. Dee is a lifelong resident of Illinois. Learn more at www.deehenderson.com.
(Unfortunately, I couldn't find a picture of Dee. I'm certain she's a lovely lady. She's just quite private and isn't much for social media, which I'm pretty sure isn't a bad thing!)
My Review: 5 stars
This review might have a slight bias to it, because I’ve read all of Ms. Henderson’s books, and have loved every one of them! This one is definitely no exception, though I fear I may be running out of new things to say about her books. How do you find new words to describe outstanding writing that carries over from book to book? I can honestly say that Dee’s books have never disappointed me, even when the story didn’t exactly go the way I’d hoped or expected. I can never pick a favorite of her books, beyond whichever I’m currently reading. So at the moment, this one is my favorite, and I’m certain I’ll be reading it over again sometime soon.
There is something I find so incredibly captivating about this author’s writing, though I have never been able to pin it down to a single sentence or a specific something. Maybe it’s in the way that she draws me immediately into the story, or maybe how her characters become dear friends that I cheer for and mourn with, or how she weaves the mystery to keep me guessing, or how the book may have 400+ pages, but I breeze through it, then maybe tear up a smidge when I turn the final page. It’s there among the careful details and descriptions that bring every page and scene to life. It’s in the little extras that make her characters burst to brilliant life. It’s in the pieces that she so carefully fits into their places to make the story complete. It’s something that I can’t quite explain, but that I love just the same.
The first two words that come to mind when I think to describe Traces of Guilt to someone are “thoughtful” and “complex.” There are several story threads in play all at once, with differing view points and quite a few new characters. It took me a few chapters to get everyone straight and keep them that way, but I loved the layers of the story that were slowly revealed. I also really enjoyed how many of the characters got a voice here and there and that they were clearly defined so I wasn’t left trying to figure out who’s head I was in at any given moment. The thoughtful part comes from the difficult topics that are part of the main focus of the story. Dee is one of the few authors I’ve read that can take such hard things and handle them with the finesse shown in this book. The emotions behind this story are so vivid, that I often felt them along with the characters. Evie Blackwell is one of the main characters and I loved her! This book appears to the first in a series that focuses around her, which I’m super excited for. Evie is a delightful character, funny, but also intensely focused and determined. I enjoyed following her as she attempted to think outside of the box and trace all of the possibilities to solve the cases put before her. That may have actually been one of my favorite things in this book - the mystery and all of the ways the story could go. She kept me guessing and thinking, trying to figure out what had happened, right along with Evie. We also meet several new characters, that I’m hoping with be returning in the books that follow. I’d love to find out what happens with Will and Karen, and Josh and Grace, as well as finding out whether Evie and Gabe ever move beyond good friends.
If you’re looking for a quick, light read, I’m not sure I would recommend this book. It carries a weight beyond that and delves into several hard topics and emotions. I found myself laying it aside more than once to simply think and take a breath before being hit with another question to be answered. And I actually loved that about it. I love books that cause me to stop and think, to wonder and chase the question of “what if?” I did really appreciate that though this book is marked to be the first in a series, there aren’t many questions left unanswered, so it can stand alone fabulously. There is a lead-in into the next book, but not a major cliff hanger or something to make me want to yell, “no!” when the final page was turned. Dee did an excellent job of leaving a few questions undone, but also answering the most important ones. I can’t wait to see what the next book holds for Evie, and all of the other dear characters I’ve come to love!
I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley for my honest review, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
Yay! This was such a great book! I scooped up a paper copy as soon as I could and I have plans to read it soon. Thanks so much for stopping by and reading my very long-winded review! If you'd like to check into it further, there are links below, as always!
Have a delightful day!
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