Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Return to Whispering Pines by Scarlett Dunn

RETURN TO WHISPERING PINES

Author(s): 
In the second installment of the Langtry Sisters series, Dunn opens with our main character arriving with three orphans to her hometown; she hasn’t been back for almost 10 years now. Dunn gives great visual accounts of the town, with well-developed characters. We are introduced to new characters and reintroduced to main and sub characters from book one. You will enjoy seeing what past characters have been up to. With fast-paced writing and many unexpected twists and turns, you will want to keep reading to see the outcome. Like the first installment, this book leads the reader to strong emotions and opinions. Conflict begins right from the start.
Adelaide Langtry has returned to Whispering Pines with three siblings in her care and the backing to open a new orphanage in her grandmother's old home. Sheriff Jack Roper was an orphan and on his own much of his youth and understands what Adelaide's young charges are going through. Sparks fly when Adelaide and the Sheriff spend more time together. Old enemies show up, causing havoc. Then, one orphan is adopted without his siblings and Adelaide's ex-beau shows up to take them all back home with him. He is adamant that Adelaide not interfere. Since her ex is the son of the orphanage’s major donors, he is essentially Adelaide's boss. What will she decide to do when she knows something is not right with the adoption? Jack is determined to help her regardless of the ramification. (ZEBRA, May, 384 pp., $7.99)
Reviewed by: Jenny Falcone for RT Book Reviews 

Friday, June 22, 2018

The Hearts Appeal by Jennifer Delamere

In the second book in the London Beginnings series, Delamere writes a heartfelt novel set in 1881 London. While being introduced to many new characters, about halfway through the book characters from book one return, which adds a nice dynamic to the story and allows readers the chance to play catch-up with some of their favorites. Delamere paints a satisfying picture of the main characters as they search their souls to discover what is truly important for them.
Julia Bernay has come to London to study medicine and become a doctor. She is en route to a conference — one not usually attended by women — when her train derails. Now she must do everything in her power to help keep a man alive! The man is Michael Stephenson, and he just happens to be the lawyer involved in a lawsuit that would close the only medical school available to prospective female students. Seeing that he owes Julia his life, Michael agrees to tutor her in Latin, which she will need in order to pass her medical school entrance exam. Conflicts arise in his court case, and he is forbidden to see Julia in any capacity. Will he find another way to help her, or will he let someone else make his decisions? (BETHANY HOUSE, Mar., 384 pgs, $14.99)

Reviewed by Jenny Falcone for RT Book Reviews

Thursday, June 21, 2018

Murder Most Fermented by Christine E. Blum


MURDER MOST FERMENTED

Author(s): 
Halsey and her trusty canine sidekick, Bardot, are at it again. Blum opens this second installment to the Rose Avenue Wine Club Mystery series with our main character’s dog digging in a newly acquired garden plot and discovering a body. Murder Most Fermented can be read as a standalone or as a second installment. This addition to the series lays out the plot, setting and character descriptions more completely than book one, leading to a better read. We are re-introduced to everyone from book one and some new characters as well. Many twists and turns, lots of movie references and the surprise ending make for a great read.
Bardot has unearthed another body and under the watchful eye of the neighborhood spy and her cop nephew, Halsey and the Rose Avenue Wine Club take it upon themselves to figure out this new murder before the police arrest Halsey for the crime. Her dog-training, emergency-rescue boyfriend has had too much of her shenanigans after he’s called in to provide bail for her in the middle of the night. Will she back off to keep him or will she stay true to herself and discover the true murderer before it is too late? (KENSINGTON, May, 256 pp., $7.99)
Reviewed by: 
Jenny Falcone for RT Book Reviews

Monday, June 18, 2018

Beneath a Prairie Moon by Kim Vogel Sawyer


Sawyer writes another amazing page-turner. The newly formed town of Spiveyville, Kansas, formed in the 1800s, is portrayed quite accurately, with its dirt roads and rough exterior. The writing evokes clear pictures of the prairie and what life was like at this time. She also effectively explores the standards of high-society living and what happens when one loses their wealth and status. The fast-pace scenes keep the pages turning, the expectation of what is coming next always exciting. Readers won’t want to miss Sawyer’s newest inspirational release!

Abigail Grant was brought up in high society. But after her father’s illegal business dealings leave her penniless and she is cast out from elite society, she humbly seeks out a company that provides brides to men in the Wild West. Abigail is sent to numerous places … and then returned due to her inability to accept the different towns and men. The company owner, upon receiving more than a dozen requests from Spiveyville, Kansas, decides to send Abigail there as a high-society tutor to teach the men some manners. Mack Cleveland is sent to retrieve Abigail and the bridal company owner from the train depot. Turmoil comes when the company owner is kidnapped. Will Abigail trust Mack and the townsfolk to find the woman she now thinks of as a mother figure? Or will she leave, despite having nowhere to run back to? (WATERBROOK, Mar., 352 pp., $14.99)

Reviewed by Jenny Falcone for RT Book Reviews

Thursday, June 14, 2018

See Her Run by Peggy Townsend



SEE HER RUN

Author(s): 

In the first book of the Aloa Snow series, Townsend opens with an athlete literally running to her death — then it’s ruled a suicide. See Her Run is fast paced with many surprising twists that make this a page-turner. When you think you know who the killer is, this book will prove you wrong, building up the mystery and leaving you on the edge of your seat until everything comes crashing down at the conclusion. See Her Run is truly a novel you will not want to miss.
Aloa Snow is a former well-known investigative reporter who made a mistake when her mom was dying in the hospital; now she can not find a job to save her house. Michael, the young boy Aloa's family took in after his father killed the rest of his family, is now a big shot and needs Aloa to help him with a case the police have deemed a suicide. The last thing Aloa wants is to hear from the boy who stole her heart and disappeared without a word for 10 years. The paycheck is the only reason Aloa agrees to jump headfirst into a dangerous investigation that the police tried to cover up. Will she be able to save herself? Or will she end up silenced like the girl she is investigating? (THOMAS & MERCER, Jun., 268 pp., $15.95) 
Reviewed by: 
Jenny Falcone for RT Book Reviews

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Full Bodied Murder by Christine E. Blum


Blum opens the first novel of her new Rose Avenue Wine Club series with the main character having just left her marriage and moving with her dog across the country. Written in the first person point of view, the perspective is limited to what Halsey knows, which leads to some characters feeling underdeveloped. While more is learned about them along the way, there are loads of different characters in this novel, which may confuse readers —readers will have to pay very close attention and take notes.
Annie "Halsey" Hall is welcomed into her new neighborhood by being invited to a wine club run by the residents on her new block.  She enters the first house she comes to with the door open and stumbles onto a murder scene. Now she is a suspect and the police are focusing on her, so Halsey takes it upon herself to play detective and begins looking at everyone a bit closer — even those in the wine club who have decided to help her find the murderer. Some strange things are happening on and around her block ... will she straighten it all out before the police decide that she is the killer?(KENSINGTON, Dec., 320 pp., $7.99)
Reviewed by: 
Jenny Falcone for RT Book Reviews