The Red Cottage by Hannah Linder

 

This story begins in 1818 in Cornwall England. Maggie lives with her uncle and helps him run the local apothecary shop. Her uncle is very protective of her so when Tom and Maggie fall in love, he refuses to allow them to spend time together. She sneaks out to meet with Tom, often at night, taking walks by the Cornwall coast. One night, upon returning home she interrupts a break-in at her uncles shop. She is badly injured and loses her memory. She is rescued and is given refuge in the household of Lord Cunnigham.

Fearing that her life might be in danger, Lord Cunningham keeps a very close eye on her offers her protection.

There are several mysteries that may be connected. Why does he take her in and let her stay there while she recovers? Why is someone trying to kill her? Who can she trust? Will she ever remember her past life and the love she had for Tom? And why, if her life is in danger, is she frequently venturing out on her own so much? That was confusing to me.

This is a clean, suspenseful mystery with an interesting plot. It is not a fast read and has very little faith element.

This is from the publisher’s website:

“She forgot she loved him.
He would die to make her remember.

Meg Foxcroft has never minded the tattling village gossip or her uncle’s ill-tempered rebukes. After all, she has Tom McGwen—and one day, they will build their own cottage, paint it red, and live a wonderful life.

But then the unthinkable happens. Meg is attacked, her uncle’s apothecary shop goes up in flames, and when she wakes up in the arms of an eloquent lord, she remembers nothing. Not even her own name.

In a frantic race against time, Tom plunges into dangerous water, bent on sheltering Meg from harm and discovering who wants her dead. Even if she despises him. Even if it’s now the handsome lord she casts her smile upon.

As danger swells and truth comes crashing around them, Meg must confront the past and decide who she trusts—and loves—before the enemy makes the final strike.”

The author does a great job taking the reader into Regency England. You can almost smell the spray blowing off the Cornwall coast. If you love mystery and suspense, this book has it. If you prefer more of an element of faith, this might not be your cup of tea, but you wont find anything offensive or inappropriate either.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour 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.”

Ambush by Colleen Coble, A Sanctuary Novel ~ a book review

In this contemporary mystery, Paradise Alden has come back to her childhood town in Alabama.  When she was a child, both her parents were murdered and the crime has never been solved.  As a result, she grew up in a series of foster homes where in one case, she was abused. 

She is now a veterinarian and accepts a job at the local wild animal sanctuary.  The owner happens to be the mother of her first love, Blake Lawson. She feels he betrayed her confidence which prompted her being placed in the abusive foster home, and she struggles to forgive him.  She has recently been attacked by a jaquar and is recovering from that injury.

As soon as she arrives at the sanctuary, a woman is murdered and Blake is the main suspect.  A series of break-ins, sabotage, gun fire and arson occur at the sanctuary. Is someone trying to frame Blake? Who is committing these crimes and why is the sanctuary being targeted?

Can Paradise and Blake work together to find the answers and can Paradise discover who killed her parents and why? Blake’s faith has seen him through his military service and the tragic loss of his best friend. Can he help Paradise rediscover her faith?

This is from the back cover:

“The first book in the riveting new series from USA TODAY bestselling author Colleen Coble, where a young woman will do anything to uncover the truth of her parents' murder--even work alongside the man who once broke her heart.

Paradise Alden's childhood in Nova Cambridge, Alabama, was idyllic until the night her parents were murdered. Since then, life has left her scarred. The abuse she suffered in the foster care system, her first love's betrayal, and the jaguar attack that nearly destroyed her career have led to an unshakable distrust--in men, in God, and maybe in even in herself.

After fifteen years, returning to her hometown is a last resort to finding her life again. She's hoping the wildlife refuge where she's accepted a veterinarian job will be the perfect place to heal from her recent traumas and unlock her memories about the night her parents died. But the day she arrives at The Sanctuary, a body is discovered on the grounds. And soon, a series of deadly events threatens not only her future, but the man who, despite all odds, still makes her pulse stutter. Arson, a shooting, a break-in, and multiple instances of animals being freed from their enclosures all point back to him, but Paradise knows Blake Lawson isn't responsible. Not the man who has been helping his mother manage The Sanctuary these past six months and care for his stepbrothers in the wake of their father's death . . . even if his betrayal years ago cost her everything.

Someone dangerous is lurking beneath the town's moss-draped trees, and Paradise refuses to let another murderer disappear into the shadows.”

The first book in the series, this suspenseful romantic mystery will keep your attention to the end.  There are some unresolved questions that I hope will be addressed in the future books of the series.

Go HERE to read an excerpt 

Go HERE to learn more about Colleen Coble and her other books  

 

Faith plays an important part of the story but it is in no way offensive or “preachey”.

I look forward to the next book in this series, and give this a 5 out of 5 star rating.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

When the Sky Burned by Liz Tolsma ~ a book review

 

 

This book is not only about the terrible tragedy of the fire but also about how faith can sustain you through trials. It is one of a series of books highlighting historic disasters that have changed history.

Mariah Randolph is a young artist who loves to paint the local landscapes in Peshtigo. Her father has made a marriage arrangement with Hollis Stanford, the son of the railroad owner. Her father has seen how living in a logging and railroad town has taken a physical toll on his wife and he wants a better life for his daughter.  Jay Franklin works as a bookkeeper in Hollis’s office. He also loves Mariah and feels protective of her.

Someone sends Mariah a letter warning her about Hollis and accusing him of stealing from the company. Who sent it? Is it true? In the midst of this mystery, a tragic fire takes place. Hundreds of people are killed or injured. The town is practically destroyed. The only people who survive are the ones who manage to make it to the river.  Mariah loses both her parents and also loses her sight as a result of the intense heat. She feels hopeless because she can’t paint anymore.  She and Jay work together to try to catch Hollis before the marriage date. Their faith gives them the strength to continue and draws them closer to each other.

The author does a wonderful job of portraying the danger and horror of the fire and the aftermath.  The reader really feels the heartache of the situation but also the hope that faith brings.

This is from the publisher’s website:

“A Tornado of Fire and Embezzlement Sweep through a Community  
 

Enjoy a series of 6 exciting novels featuring historic disasters that transformed landscapes and multiple lives. Whether by nature or by man, these disasters changed history and were a day to be remembered.

 

Promising painter Mariah Randolph longs to have her canvases displayed in the world’s best museums, and Hollis Stanford, the heir of a railroad tycoon, is her ticket to success. The railroad’s bookkeeper, Jay Franklin, discovers discrepancies and is convinced that Hollis is stealing from the company. But any proof of his dirty dealings go up in smoke when fire utterly destroys the town of Peshtigo, Wisconsin, October 8, 1871.

 
The fire leaves Mariah blind, but Jay befriends her and even helps her to start painting again. But a trip to Chicago to return Hollis’s daughter to him could put both Mariah and Jay in more danger than even the fire that devastated the town and their lives.”

The author incorporates a strong faith element in the characters without being preachey. 

Will Mariah and Jay discover the truth in time to stop the wedding? Will the town survive and rebuild? Will Mariah ever paint again? 

Go HERE to read an excerpt

Included at the end of the book is the historical account of the event.

 

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.