The Art of Theft by Sherry Thomas

Nothing short of what you'd expect from Sherlock Holmes, or maybe something more - since this Sherlock is a woman, pretending to be her brother Sherlock. Deductive reasoning at its best, with ribbons of facts and characters woven along. Anyone versed with Sherlock Holmes stories is frozen with fear at the name of Moriarty, and that person is in this story as well. Deep plot with both the story and regular characters. It would be good to see this in a movie. Charlotte and her crew go under cover at a French mansion to pull off an impossible theft. A mansion complete with secret underground passages. Scary stuff!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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The Daughter of Hardie

"She was as frightened as he was when she said goodbye , and spent sleepless hours that week trying to see into the future."
Interesting book. England 1898. Near Oxford. Clean read. Mostly about Grace, who because of her health has a special gift that benefits her and her family. Taking them from when she is six until 30, it explores her world, why and how she feels what she does, thinks like she does. They have a family winery, but her father is a botanist who has gone on a trip back to China and not come back. This is the area where her mother had gone with him just after getting married. As the story unfolds the war starts and affects them all, of course. Different twists and turns as it goes along. It does make you want to read the next one.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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The Bridge to Belle Island by Julie Klassen

1819 England. Murder mystery. Information slowly unfolds. Isabelle can't leave the island where her home is, believing a curse after her parents and sister are tragically killed. The man, a distant uncle, who is running the estate treats her and her niece terribly and wants to sell part of her island off. He is murdered in London, something discovered by Benjamin, a young lawyer in the firm. It would have looked different if not for his excellent power of observation and detail. He had lost a case, and the elder law partner sent him out to Belle Island to uncover information. Isabelle is suspected even though she hasn't been able to leave the island for many years. Interesting and endearing characters and this small community unfold as you get to know them and the information winds out. As it nears the end the story gets intense and is impossible to put down. The story is set in a time before the establishment of a centralized police force as we know it today. Excellent Christian historical that you can expect from Julie Klassen. Struggles with insecurities and forgiveness are themes.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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All Hearts Come Home For Christmas

"His enthusiasm for life was contagious, and when I was with him everything seemed larger. It was as if a vast existence that had never touched my being before had been opened up to me."

Perfect stories of love, at Christmas or any time of the year. Truly a special collection. Don't you just love that cover?

England 1816. Interesting twist, as the story begins with a seven year old boy who, because of the death of his father, has just become a Duke. The twist being that the story is about his mother, who had abandoned him. And the Vicar, also a lonely person.

London 1820 A young girl is working in a dress shop for nothing more than food to eat and a place on the floor to sleep when a gentleman stops in the shop with a button off his coat, and ends up asking if she'd come to care for his house, daughter and Aunt. An answer to prayer, and a great blessing.

London, 1814
Elizabeth wants to get out of going to the Ton's social events and away from her mother's attempts at match making, so she chooses to call out a confirmed bachelor and behave just slightly inappropriately so she'll have to sit out the season. She gets more than she expected!

Yorkshire, 1816
Nell, after her Pastor father died had to take a job as a seamstress. Jacob returned home after his cruel father died to care for his sister. When he had Nell come to the house to fit Alice with a new wardrobe, all of their lives turned for the better.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"Though Christmas remained a number of weeks away, a whisper of it hung in the air."

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Once Upon A Dickens Christmas

"My mother— God rest her—always told me to think of eternity, then live backward from that. Such a view has a way o’ whittlin’ down our current troubles to a size we can crumple up into a ball and toss aside.”
Do you love the classic dickens stories? This is a good addition to your library and a treasure. Full of similar hard times and strife in cruel times, where humanity triumphs. The first story is a fabulous mystery that will keep you guessing to the last. A second chance coin threads it's way through all of the stories. Of course with these authors you can't go wrong. Curl up with this book as soon as you get a chance. You'll love it!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"We are all different.We all bear one cross or another. And because of it, do we not each face our own particular cruelties?”

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The Victorian Christmas Brides Collection

Wow. What a fabulous collection. These are all special, deep and involved stories. Well worth the read, whether it's Christmas time or not. Highly recommended to keep your attention. Not your run of the mill romances.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Tiny Tim and the Ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge

Excellent short story. A continuation of the beloved Dickens Christmas story with a pure Christian message.

Except for the times I breathe in, I think of you only when I breathe out...
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher's book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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