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.

 

 

Buried Cold Case Secrets by Sami A. Abrams

Searching for her best friend’s remains could help forensic anthropologist Melanie Hutton regain her memories of when they were both kidnapped—unless the killer gets to Melanie first. For her safety, Melanie must rely on Detective Jason Cooper, who still blames her for his sister’s death. Can Jason set the past aside to solve the cold case

My thoughts:

Buried Cold Case Secrets is the debut novel by Sami A. Abrams; however, this certainly does not seem like a debut novel.  It is so well written, with well-defined characters and a fast-paced storyline that I was completely immersed from beginning to end.

I feared for the safety of Melanie Hutton, I mean she seriously had me urging her to be careful at every turn.  Luckily, Jason Cooper is on the case.  Melanie and Jason have a history and it’s safe to say, he’s not ready to be friendly towards her which added an interesting twist to the plot.  Speaking of twists, there are plenty along with the perfect amount of suspense and action.

Overall, I thought this was a wonderful debut novel and one that I highly recommend.  I cannot wait to read more of this authors work.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions are my own.