Review of Rules of Murder by Julianna Deering

I'll admit I am a great fan of Agatha Christie. I love cozy mysteries and the historical ones set in the 1920's to '50's are favorites of mine. Ms. Deering has done a fantastic job of writing a Christie-esque style murder mystery. In fact, there were times I became so intwined in the story and writing that I thought I WAS reading a Christie, and then a character would bring out some Biblical or Christian point, and I was reminded I was reading modern Christian fiction. Very well done. (By the way, the Christianity is not overdone, quite subtle overtones.)

I enjoyed the first novel of this new mystery series. Drew Farthering in the main sleuth intent on solving the double murder especially as it happened on his own estate and one of the victims was his own mother. The story included a great cast of characters who fit perfectly in this 1930's world.  Nick is his right hand man and friend while Madeline is his love interest but also at his side trying to solve the crime as well. Drew and Madeline reminded me a lot of Tommy and Tuppence in their first book together (Agatha Christie characters). I look forward to seeing all these characters in the following books and how the relationship between Drew and Madeline develops. 

Overall I found it to be a riveting novel, well-researched, with a mystery and writing voice perfectly suited for the time period. 5 stars. 

Book Review: Fire & Ice by Mary Conneally

Can I tell you how excited I was to see that the 3rd book in this series was available for review!! I loved it and I think you will too. Here's the review:


Over time, Mary Connealy has easily become one of my favorite authors. She writes fun adventure stories filled with authentic characters with humor and wit that pulls me into the story time after time. Fire and Ice is the 3rd book in the Wild at Heart series which focuses on the three Wilde sisters who fought in the Civil War and have now claimed land out west as part of the government exemption for homesteaded property due to their military service.

In this third novel, Bailey Wilde is the central heroine, and she is the oldest and strongest willed of the three. She’s also the one who has kept up the ruse of living as a man the longest. And boy does she get under the skin of ranch owner Gage Coulter. These two are most definitely the true Fire and Ice combination. I loved every minute of this final installment in the series and look forward to Mary's next series.

While this is the 3rd in the series, it is easily read as a stand alone although it will mean so much more if you've read the other two books and gotten to know all these characters. I received this book from the publisher in exchange of an honest review.