I Thee Dead

Wedded Bliss Mystery, #1

by

Christine Lawrence

What a fun start to this new wedding planner mystery series!

I Thee Dead is the first novel in author Christine Lawrence's new Wedded Bliss Mystery series featuring wedding planner Leah Jordan, her two best friends, and TWO potential love interests. When a member of a wedding party is murdered during a rehearsal dinner, the bride's parents sue, and her best friend is initially arrested for the crime, Leah has nothing to lose and everything to gain by finding the real killer herself. 

Leah Jordan, the owner of Wedded Bliss, the wedding planning business started by her late mother and aunt, Sissy, is under a lot of pressure to keep her family's business solvent and make sure that high-profile and highly lucrative society weddings, which are fundamental to her success, go off without a hitch. While Leah is, from all appearances, skilled at what she does, she retains a load of doubt in her mind that she's up to the task. She's capable but vulnerable, and her latest clients, who are a pair of very wealthy and very influential doozies, aren't helping. I actually enjoyed the bride, who has all the makings of a deluxe bridezilla but is really just wildly enthusiastic and wide-eyed over the possibilities for her special day, having unlimited funding to make it happen. The finance, on the other hand, surprised me with his swings of temperament, which, as the story unfolds, became even more confounding. I do feel Leah's character would have benefitted from a wee bit more development and backstory exposition, though. 

The author must build her small-town setting from scratch, so there are scads of people introduced, some from Leah's past and others who are encountered during her investigation. However, a couple of these minor characters felt like they popped up unnecessarily and out of nowhere. Readers are provided a light overview of what the town has to offer through Leah's interaction with Caleb Hamilton, a hunky wedding guest who is later revealed to be a retired police officer turned undercover private detective hired by the bride. 

The plot is lively, first with wedding preparations, then with the murder and subsequent amateur sleuthing. While I enjoyed the overall story, especially the romantic side storylines, plot holes that were relevant to the investigation really bothered me. The unusual murder weapon, while referenced, is never questioned, nor is the report that the groom had been receiving threats recently ever addressed. The threats were serious enough for the bride to secretly hire Caleb Hamilton to join the wedding party, masquerading as her "old friend who was like a brother," to keep an eye on the groom's safety. (By the way, Caleb, you had one job….) There were also some continuity issues, a problematic timeline, and instances of sentences repeated in their entirety in the same or subsequent paragraphs, but all fixable things. This book appears to be the author's debut novel, and with its intriguing premise and underlying structural foundation, it has all the makings of an outstanding cozy mystery series. 

I recommend I THEE DEAD to cozy mystery fans, especially those with a soft spot for weddings and romance. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

A Tainted Heart Bleeds

House of Croft, #2

by

Sophie Barnes

Another killer is on the loose in London!

A Tainted Heart Bleeds is the second book in author Sophie Barnes's dark and moody House of Croft historical mystery series, and as before, another killer is loose among the ton of London. Only four months after Lady Evelyn Croft's murderer was dealt with, another young debutante is murdered in her own home. The girl's distraught father is bent on revenge and implores Adrian Croft to find the person responsible for her death. Great characters, an exciting, complex plot, and an atmospheric London setting combine to make this book one you'll not want to put down until you know all the answers! 

Samantha and Adrian Croft are newlyweds, but their pre-wedding passion abruptly disappeared before they consummated their marriage. Samantha is guilt-ridden over keeping secrets from her new husband and fears his change in demeanor means he's found out all about her mission to gather intelligence that would lead to his arrest and execution. Adrian, determined to break free from his criminal past, had counted on Samantha to help him leave that part of his life behind until he discovered her deceptions. Their growing distance was swift, and their despair palpable. It was suspenseful waiting to see if this couple, who had so much chemistry together in the previous book, would be able to find a way back to each other. 

The year is 1815, and the plot is gritty, involving the gruesome murder of a young, engaged debutante. A side storyline features Izak, the ten-year-old street urchin who previously served as a courier between Samantha and Chief Constable Peter Kendrick, and is dark and terrifyingly realistic. As the Crofts team up to rescue Izak and the other children with him, they also chase down any source of information about Lady Eleanor Marsh to identify a motive for her murder and suspects. I was glad to see Samantha finally realize that she was just a means to an end for both Harlowe and Kendrick, so maybe her heart could start to mend over their emotional betrayal. With each discovery they make, another plot twist increases the intrigue and suspense. 

With its engaging characters, compelling plot, and atmospheric setting, I recommend A TAINTED HEART BLEEDS to historical mystery fans. While this book can be read as a standalone novel, it would be best enjoyed after having read the first book in the series. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through RABT Book Tours and PR.

For You I’d Break

Peace Falls, #1

by

Hannah Jordan

This exceptional second-chance romance kicks off a new series!

For You I’d Break is the exceptional first novel in author Hannah Jordan’s wonderful new Peace Falls romance series, and I’ve never encountered a better treatment of the second-chance romance plot. Great characters, a charming small-town setting, and complex, realistic emotions and problems all combine for a fantastic series debut. 

The female main character, Rowan Stevens Norris, has returned home after discovering her husband cheating and to recover from injuries sustained during a freak accident with a person riding a Segway. Cal Cordoba is the leading man whose past has caused him to reject emotional commitment in relationships. He’s returned to his hometown of Peace Falls to join an established medical practice as a physical therapist. Although the two went to the same high school, they did not run in the same social circles; Cal was the football star, and Rowan was the invisible introvert. They reconnect when Rowan’s mother schedules her for PT with the now-Dr. Cordoba and the sparks fly. 

Both Rowan and Cal are surrounded by good friends or family, most of whom also have their own emotional burdens. Cal and his friends, Adrian and Theo, share a past tragedy that they are all still paying for physically and emotionally, and their daily struggles are realistic. Lauren, Cammie, and even Avery have their own heartbreaks to overcome. 

There is conflict between Rowan and Cal from the start but there is a ton of chemistry as well. While I enjoyed the push-pull of their relationship, I couldn’t put the book down until I got to the HEA. The dialogue throughout the story absolutely sparkles and is a major highlight of the book. I laughed out loud quite a few times because the banter was so witty. The author does a wonderful job creating the town of Peace Falls and populating it with memorable people without killing the plot with details and exposition. I am already looking forward to catching up with these characters as the series continues. 

I recommend FOR YOU I’D BREAK to romance readers, especially those with an affinity for tales of second-chance romance.

Check out this and my other book reviews HERE and register for the giveaway before it ends. The author will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

Las Mañanitas: The Beautiful Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe by Ernesto Joel Rosales and Jeanette Gonzalez Seneviratus; Illustrated by Dana Sanmar 

A delightful introduction to the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Juan Diego, and her annual veneration. 

Las Mañanitas is a wonderful children’s picture book that explains the story of the appearances of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the religious observations (and the title of the book) that occur in December. It introduces and gives the background circumstances of Juan Diego, the first Catholic saint born in the New World. 

The story is told from the viewpoint of a regular family with children participating in the events for the first time, and it is delightful, straightforward, and colorfully illustrated. Grandpa recounts the inspirational and historical tale while Grandma prepares the traditional costumes her young grandchildren will wear during the celebration. Best of all, the book provides the entire story in realistic but simple dialogue in both Spanish and English, side by side or one above the other on the page. Language students could use the book for a simple and interesting reading comprehension exercise and a glimpse into this cultural aspect of Catholicism in Mexico and other Latin American countries or communities. 

I recommend LAS MAÑANITAS: THE BEAUTIFUL CELEBRATION OF OUR LADY OF GUADELUPE to young children and their families, especially those interested in Our Lady and the Saints. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy via Netgalley.

What Meets the Eye

(Kate Myles, #1)

by

Alex Kenna

Absorbing mystery featuring a female PI who was a successful LAPD detective before being sidelined by a car accident.

What Meets the Eye is the first entry in the Kate Myles private detective series and the debut novel for author Alex Kenna. When a well-known painter is found dead in a downtown loft apartment, it appears to be suicide and with her history, it’s plausible. But as PI Kate Myles digs deeper, she uncovers secrets that hint Margot Starling’s death might just be a case of murder. With an engaging and sympathetic main character and a stellar plot, the book grabbed me from the start, and I didn’t want to put it down! 

Kate Myles, the detective on the case, has a heck of a tragic backstory. Injured in an on-duty accident, she’s still not fully healed physically. Kate is still mentally working through what happened to her and coming to terms with her new future, unable to continue to work for the LAPD. She became addicted to the pain meds she was prescribed during her recovery, and her attorney husband used this during their divorce to win custody of their small daughter. 

John was not the supportive spouse he could have been during her struggle with pain and later addiction; he was already involved with a colleague at work. He’s also a controlling and petty sort who manipulates Kate by withholding or curtailing her weekends with their daughter. But I liked how Kate had dug herself out of her addiction, had gotten her PI license, and was trying to rebuild her life. Kate is strong-willed, determined, and doesn’t give up. Her investigation is top drawer, and I liked how she is able to reach out to former LAPD colleagues for assistance and reciprocate when she can. She has a good, solid reputation she can still trade on. 

The case is an intriguing one and has some unique aspects to it. The art world setting was exotic and fresh, with many big personalities involved. I liked how the author brought in several points of view in addition to Kate, and I enjoyed how the backstories were presented in flashback vignettes. The writing style was easy to read, and the story just flowed. I was swept up in Kate’s investigation and only looked up after I’d read more than half the book. 

I recommend WHAT MEETS THE EYE to mystery readers who enjoy detective fiction with a strong female protagonist or an art world setting. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.