Monthly Archives: November 2017

Beautifully written love story to start this new series

Beautifully written love story to start this new series

By:May McGoldrick (Nikoo & Jim McGoldrick)

Rating: 5 of 5

I recently read a short story by the writing team that makes up May McGoldrick (Nikoo and Jim McGoldrick.) It has in a book called “Christmas in Kilts” and was by far my favorite short story in the book. I was so impressed that I wanted to read the first in their new series, “Romancing the Scot”. I was also pleased to find the writing team has an older series that will ties in as well (previous generations of The Pennington Family.)

The story in this book is beautiful and lyrical, frankly one of the best that I have read in years. There is intrigue and plot points and the romance is lovely. However, there is even more to the story. The writing team has taken the time in blend into this story true events about the time. From the sad deaths on the battlefield to the plight of the deaf/mute and the Irish, there are events that actually took place which are melded seamlessly into the storyline.

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44 Lovely Horse inspired designs with black backgrounds – printed one side of the page

The Wonderful World of Horses: Midnight Edition

By: Simone Phillips

Rating: 5 of 5

This coloring book is the midnight version of the revised second edition of “The Wonderful World of Horses” by Simone Phillips. That means that the designs are printed on black backgrounds. The designs are still black line work with white space for coloring, which is how I prefer this style of book. That gives me the blank white areas that I use for shading and blending. It is simply that the backgrounds are already finished in black.

The designs have a lovely hand-drawn quality with little extras such as cross hatch shading on the horses. There is a flowing look to Ms. Phillips designs which conveys a real sense of movement. The designs are detailed but do not contains areas which are too intricate and small to color.

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Suspense is there but hidden under too many plot points

The House on Foster Hill

By: Jaime Jo Wright

Rating: 3 of 5

While I am a Christian, I rarely read Christian fiction. Perhaps that is why “The House on Foster Hill” did not resonate as well with me. I was looking for a story with a Christian message (or perhaps just a few references to Scripture) and instead found myself reading a suspense book with a mystery that was, unfortunately, all too easy to solve.

This story is set in two time periods, present and a little over a hundred years in the past. The setting, Foster Hill House, is the same; however, the characters are quite different. In the past, we have Ivy Thorpe who has turned away from God after her beloved brother has passed and she has immersed herself in remembrances of the dead. In the present, there is Kaine Prescott, a young woman who has also pulled back her belief after her husband’s death.

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Fast-paced thriller that could be lifted from today or tomorrow’s headlines

The Whispering Room: A Jane Hawk Novel

By: Dean Koontz

Rating: 5 of 5

This is only the second Dean Koontz book that I have read and nothing about “Ashley Bell” could have prepared me for this hard-driving thriller. In “The Whispering Room”, Jane Hawk has already discovered much of the plans of an elite group who are intent on pressing their vision of the future (and the rewrite of history) to their view.

Jane is a one-woman wreaking crew who is sworn to try to stop this from happening. By the end of the book, I have to say that if anyone could stop a huge conspiracy, it would be this woman.

The author has given her a personality that feels strong and yet still womanly. She loves children and she hates those who would hurt them and destroy their futures. Pretty simple, right?

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This series just keeps getting better and better

Seeds of Revenge (A Greenhouse Mystery) (Volume 3)

By: Wendy Tyson

Rating: 5 of 5

I’ve read all three books in this series and am really impressed by the developing plot and characters in the stories. I highly suggest reading the books in order so you can understand how characters have evolved and gone from point A to point B.

Megan Sawyer has thoroughly moved from the legal practice she left at the beginning of books one. She is now a farmer and owns a diner in the small town of Winsome, PA. She is trying to make a go of it and figure out how to bring in much needed revenue during the winter months. She’s also in the midst of a developing relationship with the town vet after being crushed when her beloved young husband died in service to his country several years before.

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Fun book that I read stand-alone though sixth in mystery series

How the Finch Stole Christmas

By: J. R. Ripley

Rating: 5 of 5

This is the first mystery I have read by J.R. Ripley. When I picked it up, I had no idea that it was sixth in a series. The book starts with relationships in place but, for the most part, it was very easy to pick up those relationship (though without history, of course) and let the logically written plot run its course.

The whodunnit was something I figured out during the course of the book because of a few hints; however, there were the red herrings left that steered me off course from time to time.

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Fun take on a “switch” of boyfriends at Christmas time

The Boyfriend Swap

By: Meredith Schorr

Rating: 5 of 5

Robyn and Sydney are two young women with a common type of problem. The problem is that the parents make too much of or think too little of their daughter’s love life.

Robyn is a wonderful, down-to-earth music teacher at a local school. Her boyfriends are artsy without much plans for the future. Sure, she is having a great time with her main squeeze but her parents (who are rather artsy themselves!) want more for her. Robyn knows that spending the holidays with boyfriend and family will not be the happiest of times for anyone (except her boyfriend who appears to be oblivious to slights.)

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Fast and interesting mystery novelette for a first time Anne Perry reader

A Christmas Return: A Novel

By: Anne Perry

Rating: 5 of 5

This is the first story I have read by Anne Perry but it will certainly not be the last. I am guessing from the tone of the book that the protagonist, Mariah Ellison, plays a part in other books in Ms. Perry’s various series. That alone is enough to have me go seek those books out to read them. I found that the book was very easy to read as a stand-alone but would probably flow even better if a reader has more background on this character.

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A little heavy on the drama but otherwise a good read

The Bride Who Got Lucky (The Cavensham Heiresses)

By: Janna MacGregor

Rating: 4 of 5

I must admit I prefer historical romances which have a little levity in their story. I’ve now read two books by Janna MacGregor and I realize that she writes very dramatic books without much by way of humor. That’s fine and the story progresses well; however, as I said, I like a little fun thrown in.

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Starts slow but progressively improves throughout

Christmas in Kilts: A Highland Holiday Box Set

By: May McGoldrick , Bronwen Evans, Lecia Cornwall, Terri Brisbin, Lavinia Kent

Rating: 4 of 5

This is a group of short stories by various authors who specialize in Scottish historical romances. I found that the first story, A Highlander’s Hope was difficult to read because it seemed so improbable and because it was heavy laden with sex scenes. It was difficult to see the romance due to all of the physical and graphic descriptions. I was put off finishing the book but I am glad that I took a chance on the remaining four stories.

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