Love and Order by Jennifer Uhlarik ~ a book review

This is a very entertaining story set in the Colorado Territory in 1873. I will preface this review by saying I was reading an advanced reader copy that may not be the same as the final revised published version. That being said, this was a story that drew me in and kept my attention to the end.

The story has a long list of characters and the publisher has included a list at the beginning of the book which is very helpful.

Calliope (Callie) is a female Pinkerton agent, who is under cover as Miss Jarrett and on the trail of a serial killer. She is accompanied by a fellow agent, Joe Trenamen, posing as Mr. Nesbitt. While they are conducting their investigation, Callie is also on a search for her brother and sister. They had all been on an orphan train and adopted by different families. Along the way, Callie and Joe realize they are attracted to each other but resist their feelings.

While Callie is undercover, she finds her brother but can’t tell him who she is for fear of exposing her mission. As it turns out , her brother, Rion, becomes the main suspect in the murders and Callie determines to clear his name. Someone is obviously framing him, but who and why?

This story does not shy away from the importance of faith and prayer. However, it does not come across as too preachy.

The only complaint I had with this ARC, is one that I hope was resolved in the final publication. While Callie is undercover, the only person who knows her true identity is Joe. But, at one point, Hattie,the daughter of the woman who runs the boarding house, gives her a telegram addressed to Calliope Wilson from her sister, Andie. Unless I missed something, Hattie only knew her as Miss Jarrett. As I said, this may have been corrected in the final revision.

This story is packed with adventure, suspense, mystery and love. It is obvious that the author had done a lot or research on life in the old west and especially in the court system.

This is from the publisher’s website:

"Wanted: Family, Love, and Justice

Separated as children when they were adopted out to different families from an orphan train, the Braddock siblings have each grown up and taken on various jobs within law enforcement and criminal justice.

Pinkertons Callie Wilson and Joe Trenamen come to Cambria Springs to stop a killer. But when evidence points to a ghost from Callie’s childhood, she must choose between two men she loves.
 
Falsely accused, bounty hunter Rion Braddock vows to prove his innocence. Former flame Maya Fellows and dime novelist Lucinda Peters both offer help, but is either beauty truly on his side?
 
In her first solo case, attorney Andi McGovern defends Rion, but the infuriating prosecutor, Daniel Littrick, outwits her. Following a hunch could win her case—or leave Andi dead.
 
Can these couples stop the true culprit and right the greatest injustice of Callie, Andi, and Rion’s lives?”

This is a clean, Christian faith based, exciting historical romance. Readers of Christian romance will not be disappointed.

Go HERE to read an excerpt

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and Netgalley through their ARC book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

Lady Graceless by Kate Archer ~ a book review

 

If you are looking for a humorous, historical story with eccentric characters this is the one for you. It is book number two of the ‘A series of Senseless Complications’ series.

This is listed as historical Christian romance but for readers who are looking for in depth faith, this might not be the one for them. However, it is definitely clean and I found nothing objectionable or inappropriate. It just doesn’t delve into the faith and doctrine that some readers might want. That being said, this is a very enjoyable and whimsical story full of interesting characters, comical situations and plot twists and turns.

This story is set in England in 1802.

Grace is the daughter of the Duke of Pelham. A notorious liar but loving, good natured father whose main desire in life is to see his beautiful daughters married and “out of his care”.

Grace is known for her sweet nature and loves her family deeply but her clumsiness frequently ends with her in a heap on the floor at the oddest times.

She has two main suitors and at times the reader is left wondering who is the good guy and who is the villain.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book with all the dastardly deeds and quirky situations and was for the most part, lighthearted.

This is from the publisher’s website:

“He’s shipwrecked himself on a beach. She happens to be standing on that beach. A beginning that dreams are made of, had he not a cousin who wants his title.

The Duke of Pelham is once more poised to bring the Nicolets to London and assault society once more. He’s got seven daughters to get rid of, and now he’s on to number two. Lady Grace Nicolet will make her debut. Unfortunately, she has the unique ability to find herself on the floor at the most awkward moments. She lives in terror that people will notice her clumsiness and make a joke of her name.

As the Nicolets set off from the Yorkshire Dales, the duke has the idea to meander to the coast so his girls might get their first glimpse of the sea. On arrival, they get more of a view than they’d anticipated. Miles Delatore, Viscount Dashlend, eldest son of the Earl of Gravesend, has spent two days adrift in his sloop and has just washed up on the beach. A duke’s daughter on her way to Town to find her husband encounters the heir to an earldom? They find each other wildly attractive and exceedingly genial? There is every reason in the world that a match should proceed.

Of course, it would, if it were not for a certain Baron Montclave. That fellow will become the Earl of Gravesend’s heir—if Dashlend dies before producing an issue. Thus far, it has seemed a likely eventuality, as Dashlend has been busy putting his life in danger in every conceivable manner. Montclave’s hopes had leapt to the sky when his cousin was reported lost at sea. But then, Dashlend did not stay lost.

Is Montclave to sit back and simply watch his future fade away?

A determined lord, a dizzy lady, and a desperate climber take the ton on another unnecessarily fraught ride through London’s season.”

If you like clean, comical historical romance, then you won’t want to miss this one.

Go HERE to read an excerpt and to learn more about the author and  the other books in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

The Highland Heist by Pepper Basham ~ a book review

 

Humor, suspense, mayhem, mystery, betrayal, love, faith and devotion all rolled into one delightful historical novel.

This is the fourth book in Pepper Basham’s the Freddie and Grace Mystery series. While it is very much a stand alone story, the reader may benefit from reading the previous books.

The story begins with Freddie and Grace returning from their honeymoon with a newly adopted daughter form Cairo, Zahra. Her presence in the story brings humor with her matter-of-fact personality.

Freddie surprises Grace with a trip to her father’s home.  When they arrive they discover he has sold the family home and has moved. They visit her sister, Lillias, who previously had tried to trick Freddie into marrying her. Instead, she ends up marrying someone else and is not happy.  Grace discovers that her deseased mother has left them an estate in Scotland but in order to claim it, they must go together within a specific time frame.  Unfortunately, the mysterious death of Lillias’s husband puts a damper on their plans. Freddie and Grace must solve the murder before they can leave for Scotland. A series of mishaps, danger and threats slow their progress.  While Freddie and Grace’s marriage started under strained circumstances, their love, support and devotion to each other, and their faith in God, carries them through the stressful circumstances.

Who are the villains?  Who can be trusted? 

The author weaves humor into the suspense which makes it a joy to read!

This is from the publisher’s website:

“Grace Storms a Scottish Castle to Save her Sister
 
Lord Astley surprises his wife with a trip to America to see her family before they end their honeymoon adventures. But just as they arrive, they find Grace’s sister, Lillias, is the prime suspect in her husband’s murder. To add to the confusion a solicitor arrives to tell the sister’s they are needed in Scotland immediately to claim their mother’s inheritance.
 
The clock is ticking to clear Lillias of suspicion, but someone is determined to keep the sisters from reaching the Scottish Highlands. When Lillias disappears, Freddie and Grace race to Scotland, sure the answers will be found in a long-forgotten castle.
 
With a ghost from Frederick’s past leaving threatening clues along the way, the mysterious Mr. Kane waiting in the wings to grab the inheritance for himself, and an apparition haunting the infamous castle, Lord and Lady Astley must capture the castle, save Lillias, and not die in the process.”

Go HERE to read an excerpt 

Pepper Basham’s stories are always delightfully entertaining and spiritually uplifting. 

Go HERE to learn more about Pepper Basham and her books 

 

 

I received a complimentary **ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed  are my own.

**A word about ARC books.   Advanced Reading Copies (ARCs) are a preview copy and are not a finished product. They may differ from the final published work and may include additional editing. My reviews may include some things that vary from the final published book.