The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House by Joanna Davidson Politano ~ a book review

  

Set in Victorian England and based on a real place, this book is an interesting mix of mystery, suspense and adventure.  In 1901, Sydney Forrester is working in her aunt’s curiosity shop. Her specialty is repairing clocks and watches. She has an uncanny ability to know what needs to be tweeked or twisted in order to get them running smoothly. Unfortunately, because of the social restraints on Victorian women, she has to hide the fact that she is the workman.  One day, she has a mysterious visitor to the shop, who leaves her with a strange clock and a riddle and a promise of an inheritance.  In order to claim this inheritance, she must go to Blakely House.

At first, Blakely House seems a bit creepy with its newfangled electricity and lights that mysteriously come on by themselves.  As Sydney discovers more about the house, she is fascinated by all the gadgets and automation.

This is an intriguing story of mystery, suspense, humor, riddles, conspiracy, love and faith.  There is a long list of unusual and quirky characters that add a uniqueness to the story. When Sydney first arrives at the house, she discovers that there are more heirs that are trying to prove their right to the fortune. It seems that, in order to inherit, they must participate in a mysterious contest. Her skills enable her to accomplish the tests.  The other “cousins” are threatened by her.  She is often in dangerous situations but her spunkiness pulls her through. You are constantly guessing about who is doing what and why is it happening.  Who can Sydney trust to keep her safe?  And who is mysteriously helping her?

This is from the publisher’s website: 

“A clever young woman, a contested will, and an estate that does not easily give up its secrets.

It is 1901 when clockmaker and tinker Sydney Forrester receives a most unusual inheritance. Blakely House, the island estate of an estranged uncle she's never met, seems almost alive, revealing and hiding its secrets at will. It is filled with remarkable inventions, including an intriguing unfinished automaton Sydney is itching to get her skilled hands on.

The estate is also home to a number of peculiar people--including two men intent on removing this interloper from the island. Convinced that Sydney has something to do with their uncle's death, the late master's nephews contest the will and work against their cousin at every turn.

Sydney finds a sometimes-ally in the estate's butler, an ex-adventurer who ran aground on the island years ago. But when a mysterious man washes ashore with a stunning surprise that upsets everything, Sydney must prove she has inherited the late master's brilliance as well as his property--or someone else will.”

 The reader is kept guessing, through all the plot twist and turns and puzzles, to the very end.

Go HERE to read an excerpt 

There is a definite Christian salvation message but it is not overwhelming.

I really enjoyed this ‘steam-punk meets faith’ story.

 

I received a complimentary ARC copy of this book from Revell and Baker
Publishing Group 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 Sleuths of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep ~ a book review

 

 

This is the third book in the Blackfriars collection.  While it is a stand alone story, it would be helpful to read the two prior books.  However, the author does a great job of bringing in the back stories.

This story is based in Victorian times and set in the less affluent neighborhoods.  You get a very real impression of what life was like in that situation.  The main characters, Kit and Jackson Forge are new parents. Jackson is made the new chief inspector of a police station in London and requires a big time commitment.  Kit is a former street “swindler”, who is in partnership with her father in a detective agency.  She is not afraid of taking risks and her street smarts comes in very handy. 

This is a very entertaining story with witty dialog and suspenseful mysteries.  Who is the culprit they are after and will they catch their suspect in time?

We are shown the rough and tumble and sometimes brutal form of police interrogation that was normal for that time, although shocking and cringeworthy now. 

There are exciting high speed carriage chases, disasters and unpleasant confrontations that keep the reader engaged.

I loved the commitment between Kit and Jackson.  Their love for each other is very evident. There is a bit more intimacy than you might find in other Christian romances but it's not offensive.

My only complaint is that the characters profess a deep faith in God but many of their actions don’t support that.  There are many instances of deception, lying and cruelty.  It reminds us that no one is perfect and …”all have sinned…” 

This is from the publisher’s website:

“Wife. Mother. Homemaker. Detective. Kit Forge wears many hats, and if that’s not enough, she’s partnered with her father to open a new detective agency. It’s hard to be all things to all people, but Kit never shies away from the impossible. Despite her hard work and good intentions, some things fall through the cracks.
 
Namely, her husband.
 
But Jackson barely notices. He’s too busy putting out his own fires. As the new chief inspector of a busy London station, he must salvage the disaster left behind by the former police chief—an obstacle made all the harder when the superintendent breathes an ultimatum down his neck.
 
Against her father’s advice, Kit takes on a case involving a missing child, one in which she and Jackson become a little too emotionally involved. . .and end up endangering their own little girl in the process.
 
Can Kit and Jackson learn that just because they can say yes doesn’t mean they should?”

I have enjoyed other books by Michelle Griep and this one doesn’t disappoint! I hope there is a book four in the plans!

Go HERE to read an excerpt and to order

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

The Lost Melody by Joanna Davidson Politano

 

This book is not one that you can read quickly.  For me, it was a struggle to get through.  That’s not to say I didn’t like it, it just isn’t what I’m usually drawn to.  The subject matter is not happy. This isn’t a “feel good” kind of book.  It took me several chapters to become engaged with the story. 

The author has obviously researched the subject of mental health in the Victorian age.  The sadness and darkness of the setting is occasionally brightened by the relationships of the various characters.  Many of the characters are known by multiple names that made it hard for me to follow.  It was a bit confusing.

This is from the publisher’s website:

“When concert pianist Vivienne Mourdant's father dies, he leaves to her the care of a patient at Hurstwell Asylum. Vivienne had no idea the woman existed, and yet her portrait is shockingly familiar. When the asylum claims she was never a patient there, Vivienne is compelled to discover what happened to the figure she remembers from childhood dreams.

The longer she lingers in the deep shadows and forgotten towers at Hurstwell, the fuzzier the line between sanity and madness becomes. She hears music no one else does, receives strange missives with rose petals between the pages, and untangles far more than is safe for her to know.

But can she uncover the truth about the mysterious woman she seeks? And is there anyone at Hurstwell she can trust with her suspicions?

Joanna Davidson Politano casts a delightful spell with this lyrical look into the nature of women's independence and artistic expression during the Victorian era--and now.”

The intrigue and suspense of the story and the twists and turns of the plot will keep the readier interested and looking forward to the mystery being solved.

If you’re looking for a “feel good”  warm and cozy story, this is probably not for you. If you like books that are thought provoking and make you concentrate, then you might like this one. 

You can decide for yourself by going HERE to read an excerpt.

Learn more about the author HERE. 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and Baker
Publishing Group 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.”

Born of Persuasion by Jessica Dotta - a book review

 

If you’re a Jane Austin fan you are going to love this book.  Jessica Dotta’s writing is very descriptive and thoughtful.  You can tell she weighed every word before writing it down.  It is a heartfelt, suspenseful, emotional tale of perseverance.  The many plot twists keep you interested from cover to cover.  This is what the publisher says about it:

“The year is 1838, and seventeen-year-old Julia Elliston’s position has never been more fragile. Orphaned and unmarried in a time when women are legal property of their fathers, husbands, and guardians, she finds herself at the mercy of an anonymous guardian who plans to establish her as a servant in far-off Scotland.

With two months to devise a better plan, Julia’s first choice to marry her childhood sweetheart is denied. But when a titled dowager offers to introduce Julia into society, a realm of possibilities opens. However, treachery and deception are as much a part of Victorian society as titles and decorum, and Julia quickly discovers her present is deeply entangled with her mother’s mysterious past. Before she knows what’s happening, Julia finds herself a pawn in a deadly game between two of the country’s most powerful men. With no laws to protect her, she must unravel the secrets on her own. But sometimes truth is elusive and knowledge is deadly.”

 The main characters comes across as very human, portraying a multitude of flaws, vulnerabilities and shortcomings, but also strengths and moral fortitude.  While
I liked the main characters, the character of the maid, Nancy, added a slightly comic touch to this very dramatic story.

 

I highly recommend this book if you are a lover of Regency and Victorian novels.  This book is publisized as a Christian novel but you won’t find it ‘preachy’.  There is very little doctrine present so even if you’re not a fan of Christian novels, you will still like it.

Go here to read an excerpt    https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://files.tyndale.com/thpdata/FirstChapters/978-1-4143-7555-7.pdf

 

If you would like to learn more about Jessica Dotta, visit her website.

This is the first of a planned trilogy.  I can’t wait to read the others!

 

 

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