Melissas Bookshelf

Loved this next mystery in the series!

Revisado: 01-06-25

Another fantastic mystery in the Lady of Letters series! I thoroughly enjoyed following Countess Amelia Amesbury on another adventure as she manages her secret advice column along with her budding romance with Simon Bainbridge, the handsome marquis, all while trying to solve a murder. This time Amelia tries to help Simon prevent his sister from eloping with an unsuitable gentleman to Gretna Green, but before anything happens, her suitor winds up dead. As she & Simon work together to solve the mystery, Amelia must rely on all her sleuthing skills to find the murderer before it’s too late.

Amelia & Simon make such a swoon worthy team. Their growing romance was filled with so many close proximity, near kisses that had me audibly scolding anyone who interrupted them. I loved their sizzling chemistry & the romantic tension between them. I also enjoyed the delightful humor sprinkled throughout. Amelia’s escape from a balcony involving a tree & Simon had me laughing out loud. Each chapter begins with a clever anecdote from Amelia’s column that fits in nicely with what’s happening in the proceeding chapter.

One of the other enjoyable aspects of this series are the endearing relationships between Amelia & her deceased husband’s aunt & ward, her friends, & Simon & his sister. Along with the murder mystery, Amelia tries to help her friend Kitty convince her husband’s family to allow them to stay in London. Kitty is Amelia’s best friend & she can’t imagine life without her fashionable sidekick. I loved seeing Amelia’s & Kitty’s competitive streak as they play croquet & engage in friendly competitions.

The mystery itself had several twists & turns as Amelia & Simon investigate each suspect. There are even moments where their suspicions hit a little too close to home. As the story reaches its exciting conclusion, I was on the edge of my seat.

The narrator was delightful. I enjoyed the way she voiced each character. Her voice was a joy to listen to & she really made this story come alive.

This delightful mystery series is a must read for historical romance/mystery fans. Looking forward to more books in the series. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher but also purchased the audiobook version from Audible. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided. 4.5-5 stars!

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Touching story of love, faith, & sacrifice!

Revisado: 01-06-25

As one man risks his life to thwart an emperor’s decree, a young blind woman learns the power of the One True God and His ability to heal & save despite allowing suffering & pain. Why did I wait so long to read this book?! Of Love and Treason was heart-achingly beautiful, deeply thoughtful, & filled with intrigue, romance, & faith. This powerful historical fiction based on the life of St. Valentine captured my attention from the very beginning & was impossible to put down.

The story takes place in 270 AD Rome, when Christians were horribly persecuted & the emperor newly instituted a marriage ban. Iris, the 21 year old daughter of a Roman jailer has tried every cure & prayed to every Roman god to heal her, not for herself, but so she can help her deeply in debt father. When Valentine comes into the bakery where she works, they strike up a meaningful conversation & he offers to pray for her. Suddenly, Iris finds a flicker of hope as her sight returns for brief moments at a time. As her faith in God grows, so does her relationship with Valentine.

Despite the marriage ban, Valentine agrees to marry people in secret. Each time he performs a ceremony, he risks his life, but, his convictions compel him to keep going. As his relationship with Iris blossoms, the cost of his faith comes at a heavy price. Titus is a Roman soldier tasked with finding ‘The Cupid’ who defies the emperor & marries couples in secret. He’s also Iris’ best friend though he longs for more. Iris’ father Quintus Magius is hostile to Christianity until his daughter’s sight begins to return. When these four lives intersect, their faith & convictions are tested as they come up against the power of the Roman Empire.

This story gave me such newfound respect for St. Valentine. I didn’t know much about him before reading, but quickly fell in love with the author’s portrayal & will never look at Valentine’s Day quite the same. The characters in this story were utterly amazing. I enjoyed reading from four different viewpoints as each character expresses various levels of faith from the deeply converted to the struggling skeptic. Their heartfelt conflicts were so real. I found myself on pins & needles especially as Valentine’s enemies begin closing in. The courage it took to be a Christian during this time period was really brought home.

Iris’ faith journey & Valentine’s profound teachings were some of my favorite moments. Their slow burn romance was absolutely delightful. I loved the witty banter & those close proximity situations. Their sweet relationship brought some much needed humor & lightness to the story. I also loved Valentine’s aunt & the other Christian believers who were such a support to Valentine, Iris, & her father.

I listened to the audiobook version & adored the narrator. She did a fantastic job voicing all the characters & really bringing them to life. If made the book even more meaningful with the emotion she beautifully expressed through narrating these characters.

Highest of recommendations for this stunning novel, even though it put me through the wringer. I definitely recommend having some Kleenex handy. Looking forward to the next book by this author.

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Another thrilling suspense in the series!

Revisado: 12-21-24

Irene Hannon is definitely a favorite romantic suspense author! I devoured the first book in the Undaunted Courage series & couldn’t wait for book 2. Over the Edge is aptly titled as it dangled me over the edge with one suspenseful situation after another. The series centers around three grown foster children adopted by the same loving couple, who’ve each overcome troubled pasts & are working in various areas of law enforcement. This is Jack’s story & it definitely packs a wallop!

Talented chef Lindsay Barnes recently moved to St. Louis after experiencing a traumatic event. When she returns to a client’s home to retrieve her knife roll, she inadvertently stumbles onto a murder scene. As she hides from the killer who’s still there, she happens to catch a brief glimpse. When bizarre things begin to happen to her, is she suffering from PTSD, or is someone trying to gaslight her? Then there’s the charming detective who’s too handsome for his own good & who she blames for a heartbreaking incident involving her friend. Will they be able to work together to find the killer?

Police Detective Jack Tucker had a difficult childhood, but luckily thrived after being adopted out of foster care. When he meets Lindsay at a murder scene, he’s puzzled by her cold treatment of him. He also doubts her credibility at first after learning about her traumatic past, & questioning the bizarre incidents that keep happening to her. He also hesitates getting involved with someone who might be suffering from mental issues after dealing with his birth mother. As he gets to know her, he quells his doubts & begins falling for her, but someone is clearly out to get her & as she remembers more about the murder, she becomes even more of a target.

This book had me on pins & needles. At times, I doubted Lindsay herself & wondered if she was an unreliable narrator. The psychological games were definitely chilling. There were several potential suspects each with a motive for murder & it wasn’t until about 2/3rds into the book that the suspects were revealed. From there, it’s a thrill ride as Lindsay doesn’t recognize the killer until it’s almost too late. The romance was so well done. I loved the depth of these characters & appreciated how they helped each other as they forged a new understanding between them.

In addition to reading, I listened to the audiobook & loved the narrator. She did a fantastic job bringing all the characters to life. I particularly enjoyed the way she voiced the male characters. Her narration was easy & enjoyable to listen to.

It’s a rollercoaster ride I thoroughly enjoyed that had just the right amount of romance & faith. Highly recommend to romantic suspense fans! Though part of a series, each book can easily be read as a standalone. Now I can’t wait to find out what happens to the next sibling. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided. 4.5-5 stars!

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I adored returning to this delightful series!

Revisado: 12-20-24

The Seaside Homecoming is another beautiful, heartwarming installment in the beloved On Devonshire Shores series! Julie Klassen reminds us in this celebrated 20th book why she’s such a favorite author. It definitely grabbed hold & didn’t let go. It’s the much anticipated story of Claire, the prodigal daughter & mysterious, frequently mentioned sister who’s been living in Scotland. Her lovely story was all I hoped for & introduced new amazing characters while including much loved favorites.

Claire Summers made a mistake several years ago when she succumbed to the flattery of a charmer & agreed to elope to Gretna Green. With a reputation in taters & no anticipated marriage, she flees to Scotland to live with an old austere great-aunt. Claire spends lonely days in penitence & serving her aunt after her father disowned her & forbid her to come home. When her aunt dies, Claire must make her way in the world. Seeing an advertisement seeking a boarding house partner, she readily travels to Sidmouth for a new adventure which happens to be where her estranged family is living.

The boarding house owner is the handsome, Scottish Mr. Hammond with a delightful young daughter with Indian heritage who readily takes to Claire, & her companion who’s skeptical of Claire. William has his own secrets & as Claire unravels them, she questions whether her hopes at love may be dashed again. She also has the opportunity to see her family again. Her sisters have been valiantly searching for her & are happy to be reunited, but their mother still clings to their father’s wishes. Will Claire ever find forgiveness & acceptance?

I adored this sweet story! Claire’s undergone a tremendous transformation & gained wisdom & strength. She’s ever mindful of her mother’s wishes & does her best to honor her while forging a new tentative relationship. I loved seeing her with her sisters again. The sweet romance, little mysteries & surprises, & endearing boarders at both boarding houses made this another charming addition in the series. I also loved the Indian culture fused throughout & Claire’s relationship with Mira.

The audiobook was fantastic! The narrator did a wonderful job bringing each of the characters to life. There were several different accents which the narrator beautifully rendered. I thoroughly enjoyed listening.

Highly recommend! If you’re a fan of Jane Austen & Little Women, this is a must read. Can’t wait for the next book! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author & publisher. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided.

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Another brilliant story in the Timeless series!

Revisado: 11-21-24

All the stars for this book! From speakeasies to the high seas, Across the Ages grabbed hold & didn’t let go. Gabrielle Meyer delivers another favorite in the Timeless series. I adore books set in the roaring 20’s & the 1700’s (especially if it involves pirates). This time slip story combines both brilliantly as Caroline wakes up in 1727 only to fall asleep & wake up in 1927, over & over again.

In 1927, Caroline Baldwin is the daughter of a famous preacher who strongly advocates for Prohibition. While her brothers don’t follow in his footsteps & tend to be on the other side of the law, Caroline does her best to live up to her father’s high standards. When she goes searching for answers about her unique condition, she ends up putting her family name at risk.

In 1727, Caroline Reed lives with her grandfather who wants to marry her off to an unwanted suitor. When she discovers a note from her long lost mother, she dresses as a boy & stows away on a ship to find her. When the ship’s captured by pirates, she finds herself working in close proximity to Marcus Zale, the quartermaster of the Ocean Curse. As their relationship deepens, will he discover her secrets?

I LOVED this book! There were so many twists & turns. Caroline has two suitors & while she loves one more than the other, I was on pins & needles wondering which time period she’d end up in by her 21st birthday. The romance is so swoony & I absolutely loved how things turned out.

The history & settings are so well done. I loved glimpses of Charles Lindbergh & the nods to Bonnie & Clyde & the gangsters of the 20’s. I also enjoyed the pirate adventures including storylines based on Anne Bonny & Calico Jack. I always look forward to the history Gabrielle Meyer includes in her stories.

There’s also a wonderful faith element beautifully woven in to both timelines. I enjoyed the messages of forgiveness, second chances, & redemption. I also love the whole concept of the time slip & how it works.

The audiobook version is fabulous! I enjoyed the way the narrator was able to bring to life so many characters. The dual-time period means that there are two stories basically in one with a wide variety of characters and accents. The way the narrator was able to distinguish all the accents & historical differences was so well done.

Highest of recommendations to this faith-filled, romantic adventure! The whole series is a must read. While this book can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the previous books in the series to truly appreciate the story & characters. I loved getting a glimpse of familiar favorite characters in this story. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided.

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Fantastic finale to a fabulous series!

Revisado: 11-09-24

Wow! Just absolute wow! What a stunning conclusion to a fantastic series! 70 North was everything I hoped & more as the diabolical psychopathic serial killer is finally revealed & tries for one last deadly hurrah as he unleashes his most horrific plan yet. But, the two endearingly flawed heroes along with the Alaskan Cyber Hunting team are right there tracking him down to finally bring him to justice. Kimberley Woodhouse pulls out all the stops in this suspenseful, nail-biting finale.

David “Mac” McPherson’s bent on revenge after losing his wife & daughter to this maniacal killer. When he believes he has him in his clutches, he’s shot & his life is saved by a brilliant surgeon. But, hatred has a cost & as he isolates himself from his friends & God, & puts his health in jeopardy, will he find the murderer before he loses it all?

Dr. Tracie Hunter has her own demons. As a striving perfectionist & alcoholic, she struggles to maintain her control as her friendship with her patient “Mac” puts her reputation & life on the line. When she’s accused of an old murder, she faces her worst fears. As she and Mac work together to save innocent lives & find the killer, they grow closer, sharing their problems & helping each other through the most challenging problems.

Meanwhile, a vicious killer uses the latest technology to wreak havoc on the members of his cyber warfare cult & the public at large all while taunting Mac, Tracie, & the other agents. Will he succeed in his latest plan, or finally meet his match?

This book had so many layers. I loved the messages of faith & forgiveness beautifully woven throughout the story. Tracie’s battle with alcoholism was particularly touching as her years of sobriety are threatened when facing unimaginable circumstances. I also loved Mac who tries so hard to not give in to hatred & revenge.

The suspense is off the charts & scared me to death with the cyber technology implications. These scenarios are all too frighteningly possible. The killer is absolutely terrifying with his wicked smarts & unhinged personality. I loved that the author left an opening for a possible spinoff!

The audiobook is fantastic! The narrator did a fabulous job bringing each of these characters to life. I enjoyed her alto voice & the way she voiced both male & female characters. She used just the right amount of emotion throughout the story.

Highly recommend to romantic suspense fans! While this could be read as a standalone, it’s much better if you’ve read the previous books in the series. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author & publisher. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided.

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A spooky new favorite!

Revisado: 10-21-24

Another brilliant, chilling read from the queen of gothic Christian mysteries! I always look forward to Jaime Jo Wright’s books. I know I’ll be in for a spooky, enjoyable ride with a touch of romance, unpredictable suspense, & a beautiful faith message captured in a dual timeline thread. Specters in the Glass House has to be a new favorite!

In 1921, Marian Arnold, heiress to her deceased parents’ brewing empire, struggles with knowing what’s read & what isn’t. After Prohibition gutted her family’s business, she’s relegated to living in her family’s Wisconsin summer home & seeks comfort in the glass butterfly house. With disturbing visions, nightmares, & a deadly serial killer leaving dead butterflies as the calling card, Marian fights to stay alive & decipher the truth along with her dear childhood friend newly returned wounded from WWI.

In the present, Remy Shaw is a researcher who’s been hired to help an elderly eccentric writer with his book about Marian & the infamous Butterfly Butcher, who was never caught. With the help of Marian’s great-great-grandson Tate, an ex-marine with a story to tell, they begin unravelling the mystery in the very place where it happened. But, when dead butterflies & murders start to occur all over again, they wonder if the killer’s legacy has come back to haunt them.

This book had me on pins & needles the whole time. I loved the way the author created such a vivid, frightening atmosphere where it was so hard to tell what was real. Though butterflies are beautiful, there’s also something a little macabre about them when they’re dead & this effect was present in full force. I also loved the symbolism of rebirth they represent. Both timelines were so captivating & I loved all the main characters. I had so much sympathy for the struggles each one went through.

Mental illness is often portrayed in a negative light in mysteries. I loved how the author tackled the struggles in a compassionate way that lended new insights. The romance in both time periods was so well done. I thoroughly enjoyed how supportive Felix & Remy were. Though they have their own problems, they really saw the person behind the illness in their respective timelines. As always, I appreciated the hopeful faith messages beautifully & naturally woven into the story.

The narrators of the audiobook were fantastic! I enjoyed both women and the way they voiced the characters from their respective time periods. They put the perfect amount of emotion into the story & really made the characters come alive. I enjoyed the way they both voiced male & female characters. Highly recommend to dual time period, gothic mystery fans!

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Mystery, romance, & Egyptian artifacts!

Revisado: 10-05-24

Egyptian artifacts, ancient curses, the shadowy Black markets of Victorian England, achingly lovely romance, & plenty of danger & intrigue make Of Gold and Shadows a must read! I was enthralled from the beginning as Michelle Griep weaves a captivating tale. I loved the brave, intrepid Ami who risks her life to rescue Egyptian artifacts from the shadowy underworld & the dashing Edmund Price who despite his wealth & business acumen has his own vulnerabilities. As their worlds collide, I was captivated by their swoonworthy romance & the dangers they face.

Ami Dalton’s determined to prove her skill as an Egyptologist despite the odds against her in Victorian England. With her expertise in Egyptian artifacts, she finds herself authenticating the amazing collection of the handsome man who rescued her in a most unusual “problem solving” way. While he wants to sell the collection, she desires to preserve it. Ami has a secret life though beyond being a professor’s daughter. She’s known as the Shadow Broker who rescues treasures from the seedy underworld. But when she gets mixed up in their latest plot, she soon finds she may be in over her head.

Edmund Price is the most eligible man in Oxford. Having just returned from India after 8 years away, he’s looking to run for Parliament. Unfortunately, the stodgy professor he wants to hire to authenticate his Egyptian collection is the gorgeous daughter who captivated his attention earlier. As she works through his treasures, he finds himself falling for her, but he has to strike a careful balance between his feelings for her & the powerful man & his daughter who would elevate him to Parliament.

I adored this story! There were so many twists & turns. Ami & Edmund were such a delightful couple. The witty banter, shared faith, & sizzling chemistry between them kept me eagerly turning the pages. I loved their meet cute & their swoony romance. I also enjoyed Ami’s & Edmund’s character growth as they recognize what’s most important. Edmund’s poetry & his struggles with “word blindness” touched my heart. I also enjoyed Ami’s style, her intelligence, & pluckiness.

I’m a huge fan of all things Egypt & I loved the ancient mythology, curses, artifacts, & history woven into the story. The atmosphere was fantastic & I could easily picture the dangerous places Ami ventures into. The mystery kept me fully engaged. I also enjoyed the side characters especially Ami’s father.

I listened to the audiobook version & loved the narrator! She did a fantastic job bringing each of the characters to life. I especially enjoyed the way she voiced the male characters. Her voice was easy & pleasant to listen to.

Highly recommend! Can’t wait for the next book! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher but also purchased the audiobook version. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided.

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Delightful, Christmas novella!

Revisado: 09-07-24

Sugar plums, sleigh rides, Christmas plays, and all the charm, whimsy, and romance of an Edwardian Christmas season with the true meaning beautifully woven into the story! I adored this book. The Nutcracker is a favorite ballet & I enjoyed all the clever nods to this fun story. The romance was a childhood friends to more with a twist where an additional suitor’s vying for the heroine’s hand. This wonderfully written novella really brings the Christmas spirit & renewed all those feelings of delight I look forward to this time of year.

Lady Mariah Lyons loves living at Plumford Manor with her beloved stepfather, mother, & siblings. She especially cherishes the Christmas season and is busy preparing. But, there’s a shadow over her festivities when she learns that her childhood friend & the heir to the estate Cyril Lightbourne is coming to celebrate, but is courting her cruel nemesis Lady Pearl. Mariah once hoped Cyril would be her real life hero from the stories they made up together, but now she must put away childish things & settle for his friendship. Mariah has another surprise though, her parents have invited Lord Søren Gyldenkrone from Denmark. The handsome lord is there to court her and offers her the chance for their children to become royalty.

When Cyril returns to Plumford Manor, his fond memories return along with his delightful friendship with Mariah. Unfortunately, the family misinterpreted his relationship with Lady Pearl & now there’s an unwanted suitor whom Cyril has had a run in with before. As he realizes his feelings for Mariah may be more than friendship, can Cyril convince her to be more than friends and choose him.

This story had so much Christmas magic. From the delightful setting, delicious food, fun Christmas traditions, and sweet romance, this book grabbed hold and didn’t let go. Normally, I read Christmas books closer to the season, but this book was so engaging and lovely that I’d read it any time of year. Though it’s a novella, there’s a lot packed into this story with endearing characters who experience a lot of growth. I also enjoyed how the true meaning of Christmas with the celebration of Christ’s birth was beautifully woven in.

The narrator was fantastic! She brought this large, diverse cast of characters alive with different accents & personalities. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it.

Highly recommend this delightful Christmas novella & look forward to cozying up with it again closer to Christmas.

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Darling slow burn romcom!

Revisado: 08-02-24

Party Favors is surprisingly my first book by Sariah Wilson & I can’t wait to read more! All my friends recommended this book & I can see why. It’s an adorable slow burn romance with a sizzling undercurrent of attraction & so much party planning fun!

Everly Aprile’s one of those easily relatable characters you want to cheer for. As a lover of all things Monterran, she eagerly anticipates anything Queen Kat does or wears & wants her own fairytale romance. After several years working as her handsome boss’ right hand at an event planning company, she’s finally given a chance to plan a 16 year old b-day party with a Monterran theme which’ll hopefully earn her the promotion she deserves. She’s also had an unrequited crush on her boss until she finds out he’s engaged.

When her snarky yet endearing roommate suggests she go out & meet someone, she ends up finding a dreamy guy newly relocated from Monterra. He offers to explain Monterran customs if she’ll be his unofficial tour guide. The sparks fly as these two get to know each other. But, can Everly let go of her insecurities & trust that he cares about her too?

I loved this story! Everly has a lot of self doubt mainly because of her father. Though she’s extremely talented, she’s never pushed for recognition. Things change when she meets Max & he encourages her to throw a baby shower for his cousin. I loved all the behind the scenes party planning as well as all the fabulous iconic New York places they visit like the Empire State Building. Max has his own secrets & I have to admit while I had my suspicions, I didn’t see a particular twist coming. It was so well done. I also loved Everly’s roommate Vella. She’s described as a grown up Wednesday Addams. I loved her snarky personality & how she was so fiercely protective of Everly. I’d love to get her story!

Everly’s & Max’s romance was full of sizzling kisses & attraction. I loved all those near kisses & sweet hand kisses too. I also enjoyed the growth these characters go through as they learn to better communicate. I also loved Everly gaining more confidence in herself & her desirability. I listened to the audiobook version and loved the narrator. She did a fabulous job bringing all these characters to life. I especially enjoyed how she voiced the main characters with various accents.
Highly recommend to closed door romcom fans!

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