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.

Book Review: Now & Forever by Mary Connealy

So, I was accepted into Bethany House's reviewer program which was thrilling!! And the first book I received was the 2nd book in the Wild at Heart series by Mary Connealy. The postman dropped off  the package and my heart beat excitedly in my chest. I ripped it open and found this book just waiting for me to read, but being the busy mommy, wife, teacher, author that I am, it has taken me much longer to read this book than I would have liked.  It had nothing to do with the book and everything to do with finding time to read the book.

I love Mary Connealy’s books and this one did not disappoint!

Not having read book 1, at the onset there was some confusion on who all the characters were and how they were related, but once you get into the first chapter or so the book really is stand-alone. The author capably explains the necessary plot ideas that you might have missed from book 1.

In Now and Forever, we meet Matt Tucker (wild man/mountain man) and Shannon Wilde (pretending to be a man since the Civil War and trying to forget that same war too) who end up going through an adventure together and surviving only to be forced into a marriage of convenience due to propriety.

This is one of those books that you just tuck into, rest back into your pillow and enjoy every moment. Mary's writing style is so easy to get drawn into and before you know it several chapters have gone by. There's just something so genuine in the way the author creates her characters and as they reach their epiphany of life and love it touches your heart in a real way and the words flow over your soul and comfort you.

Matt Tucker for instance is a hero to fall in love with and not just because he's handsome and able to fight and protect Shannon but he also has a heart for God. And he says things like this after Shannon finally divulges something personal and hurtful from her past: “”If I’m strong enough to listen, then for certain God is.”

Memorable characters, terrific writing and the plotting and pacing are perfect. I definitely plan to get the other books in the series. Go out and get this one but maybe start with book 1 in the series. Ava liable at all book outlets such as Amazon.

I received a free copy of the book from Bethany House publishers for an honest review.

Review for In Between by Jenny B. Jones

This was my first Jenny B. Jones novel and after reading In Between it won't be my last. I'm looking forward to reading the other books in the Katie Parker series.

Ms. Jones has a great teen ‘voice’ in Katie, a foster child with a mother who is currently serving in prison and who has never taken good care of her. She is sent to live with a pastor and his wife who have a grown daughter. The sarcastic tone of the book fits for a character like Katie. It makes her approachable and you feel that her personality has been etched out as a coping mechanism due to her heartbreaking circumstances. There are some plot threads left unanswered by the end of the book but it is a series and I’m sure more will be revealed in the subsequent novels. It’s a sweet, feel good Christian novel and at times it is laugh out loud funny. Great characters, interesting plot and themes that will speak to all ages. Highly recommended.

It's currently FREE on Amazon

Fall For You (Book1: The Jane Austen Academy): Review

As a long time Jane Austen fan, I've read many novels based on Jane's original novels. When I downloaded this book, I wasn't quite sure if I was going to like it, but I love YA novels and JA so I decided to give it a try. After about 4 chapters, I was enjoying the YA voice and characters but I wasn't quite sure about the characterization of Jane's original characters. This is more a novella than a novel. It reads very fast. With my busy schedule, I finished it in 2 sittings. That I read it so quickly is not just because of the length; it was also due to the writing. I wanted to keep reading and see how it was going to all play out. But as it was a shorter novel, there was just not enough time to fully develop the plot and characters as I would have liked. And as far as the characterizations, I feel like the author did relatively well incorporating key parts of the novels into a modern teenage world. However, I did not exactly like the way Lizzy was characterized. She came across a bit harsh and lacked Elizabeth Bennet's famous sense of humor and wit. Regardless, it was a cute, fun book and I did enjoy it. I plan to read the other books in the series.

You can download this first book in the series for free on Kindle at Amazon. 

Book Review: The Country House Courtship

How fun it has been to return to the Regency world created by Ms. Burkard and find out what the familiar characters from the previous two books are up to five years later.

Though Ariana and Mr. Mornay are not the focus of The Country House Courtship, they are still involved and it was gratifying to see them married and living together happily with their young family and all the enduring love they had for each other while courting.

In this third book of the series, Ariana's younger sister, Beatrice, is coming of age and looking for a good match. What I find wonderful of Ms. Burkard's writing is how different Beatrice is from Ariana. You can tell from the beginning she is young and naive and has a lot of growing to do--both emotionally and spiritually--before she arrives at her happily ever after.

Beatrice actually quite cracked me up. She is so free in her thinking and she must have taken advice from the ilk of Mrs. Bennet from P&P for she believes as her sister married so well she quite deserves a man just as well situated. (It's probably how Lydia Bennet would have been after Lizzie married Mr. Darcy if Lydia hadn't been forced to marry that horrid Mr. Wickham.)

Mr. O'Brien isn't your typical Regency hero. He's isn't anything like Mr. Mornay. He might seem to have less presence but maybe you just have to take more time to get to know him. He's learned a lot about himself and life since the last time we saw him. He's gentle with a giving heart and obviously meant to be a man of God within the church. And though a clergyman, he has a sense of humor. But even more he is a man of strength with a heart to love a woman with all his might.

The author gave her two lead characters five years between book 2 and 3. This gave them time to mature, change and become worthy of being hero and heroine without being totally different and unrecognizable. Again Ms. Burkard ahs me with her amazing prowess with the written word and her grasp of the Regency period. I've come to realize that you will never be disappointed with one of her books. Fantastic from cover to cover! I absolutely loved this book--just as much as the first novel of the series.

There is so much going on with the primaries and secondaries that I couldn't wait to dive into the book each day until it was finished. What I really found to be true after reading Ms. Burkard's books is that days later I'm thinking about them...about the characters. That's the sign of a good book--you don't soon forget it.

Review: Captain Wentworth's Diary

Blurb: During his shore leave from the Navy, Frederick Wentworth falls in love with the elegant and intelligent Miss Anne Elliot—only to see his hopes of marrying her dashed by her godmother.

Eight years later, Wentworth has realized his ambitions. A wealthy captain, he has pushed his memories of Anne to the furthest recesses of his mind—until he sees her again. And though Anne's bloom has faded, Wentworth is surprised to find that his regard for her wit and warmth has not.

Review: Alas, there have been a plethora of Austen ‘spin-off’’ novels written in recent years that it really should be its own genre by now. Some of them are great and other’s not so much. When I learned that a new retelling of Persuasion had been written by the same author as Mr. Darcy’s Diary, I was immediately intrigued. You see, Persuasion is my very favorite book and Captain Wentworth, my favorite literary hero of all time. I very much wanted to love this book, yet I worried whether this author would be able to deliver the Captain that I had learned to know and love through the writing of Miss Austen.

I am pleased to say that I was not disappointed. Ms. Grange presented the Captain just as I had imagined him in my mind. I was completely wrapped up in the story from beginning to end even though I knew exactly how it would conclude. I mean, I had read the original book after all.

The Diary books are all written from the point of view of the heroes from each of Jane Austen’s novels. Since those were primarily written from the heroine’s POV, this gives us insight into the personal thoughts of the hero. In this addition to the series, Wentworth is written just as he should be: good natured and humorous with a bit of an edge at certain moments.

Any fan of Austen and especially Persuasion will love this book. The author allows you more intimacy with the characters and into scenes we never got to see in the original. For instance, the book begins in 1806, the year Wentworth and Anne meet and fall in love. In fact, over a hundred of the first pages of the book are dedicated to this part of the story. It’s wonderful reading Wentworth’s thoughts and following him as he experiences falling in love with all his youthful ardor. In the middle of the book, we switch to the year 1817 which is where J. Austen actually began her story, and we see Wentworth and Anne older and more mature but just as much in love.

I must applaud Ms. Grange for creating such a well-written and researched retelling of a story I love so dearly. Her tone and language compliment the Regency-era original to perfection. This book will entrance and enthrall. I know it held me captive to the very end. This is a bookshelf keeper to be read over and over.

I give it 5 out of 5!

Book Review--Before the Season Ends

Before the Season Ends

By Linore Rose Burkard

Publisher Description:

In her debut novel of what she calls “spirited romance for the Jane Austen soul,” author Linore Rose Burkard tells the intriguing story of Miss Ariana Forsythe, a young woman caught between her love for a man who doesn’t share her faith and her resolution to marry only a fellow believer in Christ.

Trouble at home sends the young woman to her aunt’s townhome in the fashionable Mayfair district of London. There she finds worse troubles than those that prompted her flight from home. Ariana is soon neck–deep in high society and at odds with Mr. Phillip Mornay, London’s current darling rogue. Then a scandal changes Ariana forever. Her heart, her faith, and her future are all at stake in an unexpected adventure that gains even the Prince Regent’s attention.

Will Ariana’s faith survive this test? And what about her heart? For it’s Ariana’s heart that most threatens to betray the truths she has always believed in. When she finds herself backed against a wall, betrothed to the wrong young man, how can it ever turn out right?

Jane Austen readers and fans of Regency romances everywhere will love Before the Season Ends.

Review:

Jane Austen fans beware. You will not be able to put this book down. Before the Season Ends is one of those books with a permanent place on my bookshelf that I intend to read over again.

Ms. Burkard is a talented author. Her writing style is that which pulls you in and doesn't let go until you've reached the end. And even then you wish there to be more. Thank goodness there’s a sequel. Indeed, I was quite astounded at the aptitude of the author not that I discounted Ms. Burkard before reading, but that she is just so very good at writing Regency. You might even believe you're reading a period novel. Her writing stays in tune with the time period to the extent as to even match the spelling of certain words like--connexion-- for connection. The same way Jane Austen spelled it.

The writing does resemble that of Jane Austen if not in style than in technicalities. Just like Jane the POV (point of view) does switch from head to head in certain places within a scene while primarily staying with the heroine. There is even a hint of the narrator just like Jane at times. For those certain comments could not come from the heroine but an all-knowing narrator.

The author’s description of Regency England and especially London is so detailed that you would have thought she slipped back in time to take down notes. There are also such stunning descriptions of places and homes and the things within the home. Being a historian myself, I appreciated this side of her book as well. Very well researched. As one who loves classic literature of the Regency and Victorian era, I thought her book fit right in with the likes of Jane Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell and Charles Dickens.

The heroine, Ariana Forsythe, starts out seeming quite young and naive at the onset of the book. As we aren't allowed into her POV much in the 1st 3 chapters, I wasn’t quite sure of want kind of character she would turn out to be. She is a young woman of great moral fiber who loves God and in following His commandments receives the desires of her heart. Ariana is such an endearing character. I enjoyed her very much. What an example she is to all young women even today in their Christian walks. The reasons that the unattainable Mr. Mornay falls in love with her are the very same reasons you will find her delightful.

Mr. Philip Mornay is called the Paragon. Every lady wishes to attract him and every man tends to emulate him. From fashion, wealth, and society he is at the peak of the swell. He's very proud and at times seems angry. He can be brusque and rude and everyone allows it because he is the Paragon. Then he meets Arianna and his heart and behavior begin to change. For every action there is a reaction and Ariana soon learns the reasons for the behaviors in the man she has come to love.

My one qualm with the book is that I wish there had been more time spent in the POV of the hero, Mornay. Of course, the same could be said of Jane Austen which of course has resulted in all those modern written spin off novels.

Before the Season Ends was simply enchanting from the first page to the last. It is very romantic and yes even passionate at times. Such a sweet romance and one that got my heart to pounding to see these characters get together. The Christian message is quite transparent from the very first chapter. No watered down Christianity here. It was wonderful to see the plan God had in the lives of these two people. I look forward to reading the sequel.

Available at Amazon and booksellers everywhere.

Linore Rose Burkard will be a guest on my blog tomorrow as we spotlight her new book, The House in Grosvenor Square.

Classic Friday: Under the Greenwood Tree

A couple Christmas ago I received a copy of the 2005 film adaptation of Hardy’s novel – Under the Greenwood Tree. It stars Keeley Hawes (well known British actress, Spooks, Ashes to Ashes, and many Period Drama roles as well as she's married to the blue-eyed Darcy, Matthew Macfadyen) as Fancy Day and James Murray (an unknown to me at the time—not any longer—watch Primeval) as Dick Dewey. I shared the enjoyment of this film with my sister who is a Period Drama Junkie like myself. What can I say? We both loved it. And we have now added ‘Dick Dewey’ into our repartee when speaking of favorite Period men. The sensual hand washing scene alone will be spoken of for quite some time. Wonderful characterization of the local people and their quire or choir. And Parson Maybold played by Ben Miles (from the British TV show Coupling) was just terrific. All in all it was a great flick and a well-loved addition to my Period Drama collection even though it was only an hour and a half long. So many of the good ones are mini-series any more.

I enjoyed the film so much I decided to read the book. Now I love reading classic literature: Dickens, Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell, Alcott, and on and on. But I've never been much of a Hardy fan before. This book is supposed to be the first of his Wessex novels when he returned to his family’s country roots. It is a pastoral story that rues the effects of the Industrial Revolution moving into the small country villages. It is also the love story of Fancy Day and Dick Dewey. Now as I read the book, I realized that the film version had veered quite a lot from the original text. I believe the important themes were included, but the plot was altered to what I believe was better than the original text. Sorry to all those Hardy fans but the plot was a bit dull and meandered about. I also disliked Fancy in the book. She was a bit too vain and featherheaded. She was much more likeable and interesting in the film. The one thing I wish they had captured in the film was the character of Parson Maybold. He came across quite pompous in the film but in the book he had a sweet, tender heart. I wonder why they changed this?

It really surprised me that I enjoyed the book less than the film. This was a first. I always love the depth and literary precision of these classic masters but in this instance I was a bit let down by the original. The one thing which remained consistent between the film and the book was Dick Dewy – true blue and very much in love. You gotta love that! I do heartily recommend the film especially if you love Period Drama. The book is a good read too and not overly long. A ‘light’ read for a Hardy novel in both length and content. I only wonder what Mr. Thomas Hardy was thinking when he created Fancy. What were his subtle sentiments toward Victorian womanhood??

How about you? How often has it happened that you liked the film more than the original novel?

Curious about this adaptation. Watch this fan video.

Classic Friday: Pride and Prejudice and...Zombies!

Yes, I said Zombies. Your eyes are not failing you. You haven’t warped to a new dimension. This is a real book.

Being the fanatic of Jane Austen that I am, I had heard that this book was coming, but I didn’t think much of it. ‘Really, are they serious? Whatever.’ Was my response.

Then a couple days ago I opened my copy of Entertainment Weekly—the April 3^rd edition. (Yes, I get EW. Shh!) And there in the book section the feature story is on Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith and Jane Austen. First off let me tell you that EW gave the book an A-. Pretty good but I cannot agree. I'll admit that on first reading the included scene from the book, it made me laugh. However, the more I read the more I became completely offended. It was like a sacrilege that this author could take a most beloved story and turn it into some horror fest. I can’t quote the scene from the article but let’s suffice it to say that the leads of the book: Lizzy, Darcy, Jane and Bingley come across a group of undead feeding on some servants and Darcy asks for permission to basically vanquish them. The ladies acquiesce and he goes ahead doing his heroic duty in a world where flesh eating zombies is the norm in the Jane Austen universe. Really, come on! How can this be so??

I usually don’t like to make a judgment on a book that I have as yet not read, but I don’t think I could stomach this one. My Janeite heart has been affronted. Now I have a sense of humor—Jane Austen did too. I love to laugh just as much as Elizabeth Bennet. Those who read my books enjoy the humor that has become my trademark. And I am not a Jane Austen purest as long as the essence of the story and characters remain intact, but this just seems to surpass any tolerance I may have had for this farcical look at Jane’s masterpiece.

The publisher of this book is Quirk Books. I wasn’t familiar with this company so I did a little research and found that they are a small Independent press based in Philadelphia. I write for the small press too so I commend this small company for attempting to fill a niche in the publishing market. What is their niche you ask? They publish nontraditional crossover books. Well, with that description then I guess Pride and Prejudice and Zombies fits their line to a tee.

By the way, did I fail to mention there are ninjas in the story too. I believe this lady will pass on this one. I mean there are so many spin off novels from Jane's works, but this one just went a step too far.

What do you think? A winner or a stinker? Of course, with all the press it is receiving I’m sure it will do well. People will read it for pure sensationalism alone. Good luck to you Mr. Grahame-Smith. I only ask what is next--Emma the Vampire Slayer. Hmm. Now that I might consider...

Book Review--Smallville: Dragon by Alan Grant

Smallville: Dragon by Alan Grant




I thought for a change, I'd review a sci-fi style book. And being as I am a fan of the TV show Smallville, I was excited when I found out that some spin-off novels had been written. Unfortunately they are all out of print now but you can still find them here or there.

Dragon is a fast read. I bought it at BN on a Saturday, started it Sunday, and finished it Monday. That is a feat when you have two kids. Overall, it is a cute story especially for those who always wanted Clark and Lana together in the first season. As the story does take place in the first season, there is a FOTW (freak of the week) plot which is adequate. But I found the characterizations a bit off. For instance, the author has the characters saying things that the characters in Smallville would never say. For example – Clark saying pal or swell. The best was when Clark said to Lex 'As if' - like he was from the movie Clueless. The time line seems off as well because Lex is celebrating his first year in Smallville even though it is only the first season proven by the fact that Whitney is still a senior at Smallville High. Other errors include: Whitney only being two years older when he is three years older, and the Sheriff not being Ethan but Bryan Shugrue. Okay, I'm not looking for perfection here it is just a Smallville novel after all.

That said, I did enjoy the book. It just seems that this author, though he is a well-known comic author for Batman, did not know or understand Smallville well enough to capture the essence of these characters. This was the first of the Smallville novels that I read. I have since read two others and enjoyed them much more. For example: Smallville: City by Devin Grayson was very good. She understood the characters much more and crafted a believable scenario outside of the events taking place in the show. In fact, she wrote that she viewed the DVD's for season 2 many times before starting to write this book. She took the time to know the show and the characters.

If you love Smallville, go ahead and get Dragon. If you are only somewhat interested, pick up one of the others.

Happy Reading!