Drawn by the Current (The Windy City Saga #3) by Jocelyn Green

A birthday excursion turns deadly when the SS Eastland capsizes with Olive Pierce and her best friend Claire on board. Hundreds perish during the accident, and it's only when Olive herself barely escapes that she discovers her friend is among the victims.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, Olive returns to her work at an insurance agency and is soon caught up in the countless investigations related to the accident. But with so many missing, there are few open-and-shut cases, and she tries to balance her grief with the hard work of finding the truth. Is she just overwhelmed, or is someone trying to impede her investigations? When clues surface that impact those closest to her, how deep will she dig?

Newspaper photographer Erik Magnussen begins helping Olive with her cases, and they develop a fast friendship. Just when Olive begins to unravel the secrets, more setbacks arise. It will take everything she's got to find the truth and stay ahead of those who want to sabotage her progress.  

My thoughts:

What a fantastic story Ms. Green has penned!  I have loved this series, but I will say this was my absolute favorite, the storyline was gripping, the characters were incredible, and the writing was top-notch.  I was unfamiliar with the history of the SS Eastland, the fact that more passengers died than on the Titanic making this an emotional read for me, but so worth it.

The author touches on the subject of domestic abuse which was sad however it was an important part of the storyline, especially given the strong friendship between Olive and Claire. There is much sadness but there is also so much gratitude and happiness.  This is one of those novels that will keep the reader engaged and is one you will remember for a very long time.

I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Proposing Mischief (The Joplin Chronicles #2) by Regina Jennings

 

Maisie Kentworth is stuck on the ranch. Having fallen in love with the wrong guy, she can't risk inflaming things between her former beau and her protective family. Left to rue her mistakes, she keeps busy exploring the idle mine at the edge of their property.

Boone Bragg is also stuck. With his parents on vacation, the management of Bragg Mining falls on him, and one of his advisors wants him as a son-in-law. One wrong move, and Boone will end up either offending an associate or getting married to a woman he can't endure.

While closing up a spent mine, Boone gets two surprises. One is an untamed farm girl who's trespassing with a pickax, and the other is the amazing crystal cavern that she's discovered. Suddenly Boone sees a way to overhaul the family business. With part of the cavern on Kentworth land, Boone makes Maisie a proposal that he hopes will solve all of their problems. Instead it throws Joplin into chaos.

My thoughts:

We all need a good laugh now and then which is one of the many reasons, I will read anything this author writes.  Ms. Jennings is one of my must-read authors, historical fiction, wonderful characters and witty dialog draw me in every single time.

Farm girl Masie Kentworth is stuck on the family ranch, it’s really getting to her, but what’s a girl to do? As it turns out, plenty.  She’s not going to be deterred from staying away from the idled mine near her property much to the chagrin of Boone Bragg, who is managing the family mine.  Poor Boone has no idea what he’s up against when he finds Maisie in his mine.  She made a discovery that is beyond everyone’s expectations and the fun begins as the two of them butt heads in this delightful novel.

Maise is an adorable, memorable character, she’s funny, feisty, and the perfect match for Boone.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley.  All opinions are my own.

 

Mrs. Witherspoon Goes to War by Mary Davis

 A WASP Goes Above the Call of Duty to Free Captive American Soldiers

 
Full of intrigue, adventure, and romance, this new series celebrates the unsung heroes—the heroines of WWII.
 
Peggy Witherspoon, a widow, mother, and pilot flying for the Women’s Airforce Service in 1944 clashes with her new reporting officer. Army Air Corp Major Howie Berg was injured in combat and is now stationed at Bolling Field in Washington D.C. Most of Peggy’s jobs are safe, predictable, and she can be home each night with her three daughters—until a cargo run to Cuba alerts her to American soldiers being held captive there, despite Cuba being an “ally.” Will Peggy go against orders to help the men—even risk her own life?

​Don’t miss these other stories about Heroines of WWII:
The Cryptographer’s Dilemma by Johnnie Alexander
Picture of Hope by Liz Tolsma
Saving Mrs. Roosevelt by Candance Sue Patterson

My thoughts:

As soon as I saw the title and the cover, my curiosity was piqued. I was aware of the series and most definitely aware that Barbour publishes fantastic books.  Ms. Daivs is a new to me author, so that was interesting to me, too.

I found the subject matter interesting; I had some idea the important role WASPS played in the war, but I didn’t realize how disparaged they were.  It was great that the WASPS established strong friendships and encouraged each other during such difficult times.

I enjoyed the relationship between Peggy and Howie which was sweet, his kindness to Peggy’s little girls made me like him even more than I thought possible.  The one thing that bothered me is the spelling of “Oxen Hill”, Maryland, I live very close to it and it’s spelled, “Oxon Hill”.  It’s a small thing and maybe that was the original spelling or maybe it was corrected in the final printing of the book.  However, it didn’t interfere with my overall enjoyment of this informative, sweet story of courage, friendship and romance.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

 

Bless Your Heart, Rae Sutton by Susannah B. Lewis

 Sometimes what your life is missing is an eccentric group of older ladies to take you under their wing . . .

When Raeley Ann Sutton’s mama passes away and leaves her the house where she grew up, Rae can’t imagine how the little old place might restore her broken life. Mourning the recent loss of her marriage, she takes the house and settles back in tiny, “one-horse Whitten” with her fourteen-year-old daughter, Molly Margaret, and their overweight dog.

There she’s embraced by her mother’s close-knit circle of friends, the Third Thursday ladies: Mrs. Fannie, Mrs. Dora, and Aunt Maxine. Though almost half their age and far less confident of positive outcomes, Rae joins their ministry-slash-book-club-slash-gossip circle and allows the women to speak wry honesty and witty humor into her tired heart. As a new career and a new romance bring their own complications, Rae relies on the unlikely family she’s found and begins to wonder if her future holds more hope than she ever could have imagined.

Known for her heartwarming stories and genuine Southern voice, Susannah B. Lewis dazzles with her latest story of women strengthening women.

My thoughts:

I have been reading new to me authors lately, Ms. Lewis falls into this category, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed her writing.  I was drawn to the older characters much more than I was to Raeley Ann Sutton, there were a few things I admired about her, and I loved the notes her deceased mother left her.  I found the male characters to be so indecisive that I grew bored with their inability to figure out what they wanted or who they wanted.

Luckily, Aunt Maxine, Mrs. Dora and Mrs. Fannie provided some light comic relief to the problems and sadness that Raeley faced as she faces life as a newly divorced woman who shares custody of her daughter with her ex-husband and starts life after the death of her mother.  There is sadness, friendship, new beginnings and love in this novel.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley.  All opinions are my own.

 

Until Leaves Fall In Paris by Sarah Sundin

 

As the Nazis march toward Paris in 1940, American ballerina Lucie Girard buys her favorite English-language bookstore to allow the Jewish owners to escape. Lucie struggles to run Green Leaf Books due to oppressive German laws and harsh conditions, but she finds a way to aid the resistance by passing secret messages between the pages of her books.

Widower Paul Aubrey wants nothing more than to return to the States with his little girl, but the US Army convinces him to keep his factory running and obtain military information from his German customers. As the war rages on, Paul offers his own resistance by sabotaging his product and hiding British airmen in his factory. After they meet in the bookstore, Paul and Lucie are drawn to each other, but she rejects him when she discovers he sells to the Germans. And for Paul to win her trust would mean betraying his mission.

Master of WWII-era fiction Sarah Sundin invites you onto the streets of occupied Paris to discover whether love or duty will prevail.

My thoughts:

It’s always exciting to read a book by Ms. Sundin because I know I am going to be completely engaged in the story.  This one did not disappoint as I was quickly transported to a sad, historical time in history. I loved getting to know Paul Aubrey, his precious four-year-old daughter and Lucie Girard.  I cannot imagine having the bravery these characters had when faced with the challenges of occupied Paris and their resistance.

There were several times that I was fearful that they would be discovered and something horrible would happen to them.   It’s a very emotional read which I loved for a change, it turned out to be a rather fast read for me simply because I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen in the lives of characters that became very dear to me.

Overall, I loved everything about this novel and of course I still find the author to be a masterful storyteller. 

I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Foundation of Love (An Amish Legacy #1) by Amy Clipston

 

They were “only friends” . . . but they wanted so much more.

Crystal Glick is grateful to live with her brother’s family since her father died and her fiancé, Owen, broke their engagement. Crystal loves her bruderskinner and cheerfully helps her sister-in-law through a difficult pregnancy with babies number seven and eight, but she yearns for a husband and children of her own.

Duane Bontrager is mourning the recent death of his wife, Connie, after twenty-four years of marriage. He and his grown sons have a thriving roofing business but can’t get used to life without her. As the young men prepare to launch out on their own, Duane can’t imagine life alone—nor with anyone but Connie.

When a roofing job at the Glicks introduces Duane and Crystal, they’re attracted in spite of their fourteen-year age difference. But their bishop thinks Duane is better suited for the sweet widow Tricia, and Duane’s sons object to his interest in any woman. Crystal’s family fears losing her indispensable help. If she must go, they’d rather she be reunited with Owen in spite of his betrayal.

They’re the only two who believe they’re a match made in heaven, can Duane and Crystal overcome the obstacles to love?

My thoughts:

It’s been sometime since I’ve read a full-length Amish novel by this author, and I have to say that I enjoyed this sweet story. I thought that Crystal was the quintessential Amish character, she’s selfless and full of grace.  I didn’t find it unusual that she would put the needs of her brother and his family ahead of her own needs, that is what an unmarried woman in her situation would do.  The friendship between her and Duane the roofer hired by her brother was natural and easy which I liked.  I didn’t care for the reaction of his sons, some who came off as selfish.  I understood they were still grieving the loss of their mother, but it seemed odd they would be so unkind and rude to Crystal.

It wasn’t like Duane met Crystal at their mother’s funeral, but I guess 18 months didn’t seem long enough for his sons to accept their father may want to someone to love.  I found it interesting that Crystals family questioned the age difference between Duane and her, but I was okay with that because I knew they wanted the best for her.

There are children of all ages in the storyline, and I personally don’t know how Crystal managed running the household, cooking, cleaning, shopping, and still found time to spend time with Duane.  All I can say is she had time management skills that I would love to have.

Overall, I thought this was a sweet, enjoyable and rather fast read.

I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Crimes and Covers (A Magical Bookshop Mystery #5) by Amanda Flower

 

Christmas is coming to the Western New York village of Cascade Springs, and so is the long-awaited wedding of Charming Books proprietor Violet Waverly and police chief David Rainwater. Grandma Daisy and Violet's best friend, Sadie, go all out to make the nuptials the event of the season--whether Violet likes it or not. But the reception becomes memorable for all the wrong reasons when a woman's dead body floats by on the frigid Niagara River.

Violet is shocked to recognize the deceased as a mysterious woman who visited Charming Books two days before the wedding, toting a rare first edition of Henry David Thoreau's Walden. Well aware that a mint condition copy could be worth more than $14,000, Violet told the woman she would have to have the book appraised before she could consider buying it. Most displeased, the woman tucked the precious tome under her arm and stormed out of the shop. Now she's dead, and an enigmatic message scrawled in pen upon her palm reads, "They stole my book."

It's a confounding case, indeed. But fortunately, Violet can draw on the resources of her bookshop's magical consciousness, which communicates clues to Violet via quotes from Walden. With Emerson the tuxedo cat and Faulkner the crow at her side, Violet sets out to recover the priceless book by solving a murder most transcendental.

My thoughts:

This book is another fabulous book penned by Amanda Flower.  I have truly loved this series and have grown fond of the delightful characters, the magical book store and the wonderful storyline.  The human characters are awesome, but I have to admit that Emerson the tuxedo cat and Faulkner the crow will always be memorable and special to me.

I was so happy that my favorite bookshop owner, Violette Waverly is getting married to the chief of police, David Rainwater, and it wouldn’t be the same without Grandma Daisy to make the day so special. Oh, things get a little off kilter when a deceased body floats by on the Niagara River, especially since Violette recognizes the woman’s body and it’s her wedding day.  You’ll have to read the book to find out all the particulars but trust me when I say that Ms. Flower’s writing is purely magical and it’s impossible not to get caught up in the story.

I absolutely adored this well-written, perfectly paced cozy mystery.   Highly recommend.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

Life Flight (Extreme Measures #1) by Lynette Eason

EMS helicopter pilot Penny Carlton is used to high stress situations, but being forced to land on a mountain in a raging storm with a critical patient--and a serial killer on the loose--tests her skills and her nerve to the limit. She survives with FBI Special Agent Holt Satterfield's help. But she's not out of the woods yet.

In the ensuing days, Penny finds herself under attack. And when news reaches Holt that he may not have gotten his man after all, it will take all he and Penny have to catch a killer--before he catches one of them.

Bestselling and award-winning author Lynette Eason is back with another high-octane tale of close calls, narrow escapes, and the fight to bring a nefarious criminal to justice.

 My thoughts:

I was totally unprepared for the non-stop action in this incredible novel penned by Ms. Eason.  It is a heart pounding story that had me on the edge of my seat, so much so, that it interfered with my love of snacking as I turned page after page to find out what was coming next for Penny Carlton.

I never would have imagined that an EMS helicopter pilot like Penny would have more to be concerned with than the safety and care of her patients and the weather, but I never considered the possibility of a serial killer on the loose to contend with.  The storyline is one that had me fully engaged from the very first page and I have to admit, that was so unexpected, but fully appreciated.

If love an action-packed book with great characters, this book is one you must read.

I received a complimentary of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

Her Darling Mr. Day (American Royalty #2) by Grace Hitchcock

 

Jilted in front of all New York, Theodore Day decides to lose himself in his family's luxury riverboat business in New Orleans and compete against his brother to become the next company head. The brother with the most sales by summer's end will win the position. Thanks to Theodore's fame as a suitor in Willow Dupré's outlandish competition to find a husband, he has become very desirable royalty in southern society and thus has an advantage.

It took Flora Wingfield's best work to convince her family to summer in New Orleans, but with Teddy Day a bachelor once again, she's leaving nothing to chance. Desperate to stand out from all the clamoring belles, Flora attempts a bold move that goes completely awry, only to find it's her interior design skills that finally catch his notice.

But when Flora learns her father has matchmaking schemes of his own, Teddy will have to decide where his happiness truly lies and what he is willing to sacrifice for it.

My thoughts:

I was delighted to reconnect with the characters from the first book in the series, having said that, I liked Her Darling Mr. Day just a little bit more than I thought possible.  I loved Theodore Day and Flora Wingfield; they are both such fun characters.  Flora is a rather bold young lady in this Gilded age novel and to get her whole family accompany her to New Orleans to achieve her goal of capturing the heart of Mr. Day was pretty clever, I must admit.

The secondary characters are just as much fun and as interesting as the main characters which added to my enjoyment of this amazing novel. Romance, humor and a bit of mystery made this book a joy to read.

I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Marriage Can Be Mischief (An Amish Matchmaker Mystery #3) by Amanda Flower

Millie Fisher may be widowed, but she leads a full life in her Amish hometown of Harvest, Ohio. There’s her quilting circle, her Boer goats, her gift for matchmaking—and the occasional murder . . .

Millie is happy that her childhood friend, Uriah Schrock, has returned to Harvest after decades away. He was sweet on Millie in their school days, but she only had eyes for her future husband. Now, there’s a new spark between them, so Millie is concerned when Uriah doesn’t show up at the Harvest concert series—or for his job as the Village square’s groundskeeper. Perhaps Millie has been involved in too many murder investigations, but she has a sinking feeling. And when she and her best friend, Lois, find Uriah with the police, it seems she’s right . . .

A film crew is in Harvest to make a movie about a forty-year-old unsolved murder. A skeleton has been found at the bottom of a ravine—and Uriah is certain it’s his sister, Galilee. Right before Uriah left Ohio, she disappeared, and her harsh husband, Samuel, was found fatally stabbed with a knitting needle. The sheriff declared that Galilee killed him and ran away. Uriah never believed the theory, and he’s come back to Harvest hoping, Gott willing, Millie will help him stitch together the truth . . .

My thoughts:

This series by Amanda Flower is truly delightful.  This is the third book in the series, and I suggest that they be read in order, just because you can familiarize yourself with these fun characters.  Millie and Lois are back in action as they find themselves involved in year another investigation.  These two ladies are hilarious, sweet and fearless which is why I love them.

I have had a soft spot for Uriah Schrock throughout the series, if you didn’t already know, this series is a spinoff of the authors Amish Candy Shop Mystery series, characters will appear in both series.  I love the history between Millie and Uriah and hope they will have the happily ever after they both deserve.  Oh, and the mischievous goats are back providing more chuckles in this entertaining, interesting, well-written, must-read cozy.