Love in Disguise by Carol Cox - a book review

This book was a fun book to read. The author creatively combines mystery, suspense, danger,  romance, humor and Biblical truth.  

When we meet the main character, Ellie, she is the personal assistant to a famous actress.  She dreams that one day she will also become a star. Unfortunately, she finds herself stranded and unemployed without any job prospects.  She uses the makeup and wardrobe skills she learned in the theater and ‘tricks’ her way into a job with the Pinkerton Detective Agency.  Her job is to go to the wild west mining town of Pickford, Arizona and try to discover who is behind robberies at the silver mines.  She disguises herself as two people, an elderly woman and her niece.  When one of the miners, Steven Peirce,  falls in love with the ‘niece’, her life becomes very complicated and she questions who she really is.  She wonders if he would love the real Ellie.  She also questions how Steven, an upright man of God, will react when he learns of her subterfuge.

I sort of had the thief figured out but wasn’t really sure until they are finally revealed.  The author keeps us guessing until the very end. 

This is what the publisher says:

“Can she solve the crime before they uncover her true identity?

Jobless and down to her last dime, Ellie Moore hears about a position with the Pinkerton Detective Agency and believes it's the perfect chance to put her acting skills and costumes to use. Reluctantly, the agency agrees to give her one assignment, one chance to prove herself. Disguised as Lavinia Stewart, a middle-aged widow, Ellie travels to Arizona to begin her investigation. When the need arises, she also transforms into the dazzling Jessie Monroe, whose vivacious personality encourages people to talk.

Mine owner Steven Pierce is going to lose his business if he can't figure out who's stealing his silver shipments. In his wildest dreams, he never expected to receive help from a gray-haired widow... or to fall in love with her beautiful niece.

Then the thieves come after Lavinia and Jessie. Ellie isn't safe no matter which character she plays! Should she give up and reveal her true identity? What will Steven do when he realizes the woman he's falling in love with doesn't really exist?

Set in 1880s Arizona, Love in Disguise blends romance, humor, and mystery for a can't-put-down read.”

You can  GO HERE to read an excerpt.
Take a few minutes and visit Carol Cox's website.

I give this book 4.5 stars out of 5. I would have given if 5 stars except I had a pretty good idea of who the culprit was, so it wasn’t a complete surprise when it was revealed.  I enjoyed the authors description of the landscape and the dialog between the characters.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House  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.”

We have a winner!!!!

The winner of the book bundle giveaway #1 is.....drum roll please.................................................

SUZ and ALLAN !!!!!!

***  CONGRATULATIONS  !!!  ***

Suz and Allan, make sure you get back to me with your mailing address so I can get this bundle out to you.

 

FYI, the words that didn't belong were, popcorn and quack.   

 

Make sure you keep checking back for my next book giveaway.  I'll be posting a few book reviews also because I've gotten a little behind on those. As I type this I have 3 books that I need to post about.

 

I'm also working on writing up the directions for a couple of the crocheted 'character' hats that I designed and sell in my Etsy shop.  The pattern that I use when I make them is covered with scribbles, additions, cross-outs and arrows.  I am also left handed so I need to make sure they will work for right-ees. Since I'm not a professional pattern writer, I'm only writing up the ones that are easiest to explain. 

I plan to offer one of the most poplular  - the puppy.   I'm also working on the chick and the piggy:

 

 

 

 

I'll still be offering the actual hats for sale for folks who don't crochet.  I'll still accept orders for custom hats as time permits.  I've made these hats in many different 'characters' and cutomized color combos.  I've customized them as a cow, a monkey, a cat and a bunny.  I've even made a couple of them in adult sizes and one teenaged girl ordered an elephant and lion!

 

I've always thought it would be fun to combine a couple of them, like an elephant with puppy ears or a chick with elephant ears. You get the idea! Any other suggestion???? Leave me your ideas.