Miranda Atchley's Blog, page 6

Review: High-Wire Heartbreak

 High-Wire Heartbreak

by Anna Schmidt

About the Book

In 1936–A party at the Ringling mansion Ca’ d’Zan in Sarasota, Florida, leads to a robbery–and possibly death.

A successful historical mystery writer, Chloe Whitfield comes to Ca’ d’Zan to research her next novel. Chloe’s fascination with the circus is rooted in family stories of her great-grandmother Lucinda Conroy, who reportedly was a trapeze artist of some renown. She’s heard hints of scandal–and perhaps larceny, but no details.

Chloe’s grandmother–rumored to be Lucinda’s only offspring–was raised in an orphanage and never knew her mother. Intrigued as she is, Chloe has no intent of writing about Lucinda until she sees a poster featuring Lucinda as the star performer for a 70th birthday gala for John Ringling in May of 1936. From there the trail goes cold.

Who was Lucinda and what happened to her?

My Thoughts

When I first heard about this book, I was immediately drawn to it. I LOVE the 1930s and I love stories with a circus setting. This book surprised me in many ways.

My heart went out to Lucy. It was so aggravating to read how poorly Marty and his family treated her. Yet it was so interesting to read about her going undercover to escape the false accusations thrust at her. There was such intrigue reading about her life in hiding. I was glad to see her find happiness after leaving Ca’ d’Zan. The historical part of the book was by far my favorite.

Chloe was a bit hard for me to relate to. Sometimes she seemed to be kind of a jerk, especially when dealing with her assistant. There were times when I could excuse her hard exterior seeing as she had previously dealt with a stalker, but other times I felt like she was unnecessarily harsh with people. But I did appreciate the way she cared enough about her grandmother and great-grandmother to find out the truth about Lucy.

Filled with mystery and glittering historical detail, High-Wire Heartbreak is a solid choice for readers that enjoy their historical novels with a good dose of suspense.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Review: Saving Mrs. Roosevelt

 

Saving Mrs. Roosevelt

by Candice Sue Patterson

About the Book

The Safety of the First Lady Rests in Shirley’s Hands

Shirley Davenport is as much a patriot as her four brothers. She, too, wants to aid her country in the war efforts, but opportunities for women are limited. When her best friend Joan informs her that the Coast Guard has opened a new branch for single women, they both enlist in the SPARs, ready to help protect the home front.

 

Training is rigorous, and Shirley is disappointed that she and Joan are sent to separate training camps. At the end of basic training, Captain Webber commends her efforts and commissions her home to Maine under the ruse of a dishonorable discharge to help uncover a plot against the First Lady.

Shirley soon discovers nothing is as it seems. Who can she trust? Why do the people she loves want to harm the First Lady? With the help of Captain Webber, it’s a race against time to save Mrs. Roosevelt and remain alive.

My Thoughts

This book was amazing! I’ll admit that in the beginning it seemed like it may be more of a “light” read, yet as the story unfolded, it really became more layered. It was a really well balanced read.

Shirley was an endearing heroine. Coming from a small town and longing to see the world, in the beginning she is a bit timid and unsure of herself. She’s someone a lot of people can relate to. I loved reading about her leaving home to train with the SPARs, finding her voice, and learning to stick up for herself. As I read, I tried to put myself in her shoes; leaving all she knew to do a job with next to no support from loved ones, then coming home to vicious rumors while having to keep a secret for the government. It would be unimaginably difficult, yet Shirley handles it with maturity and grace.

The book is filled with historical details that make that era come to life. I loved all the touches of mystery and suspense that really kept me turning pages and guessing up until the end.

Those who love WWII fiction with suspense and romance won’t want to miss Saving Mrs. Roosevelt. Highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

NEW BOOK: Theft of the Magi

Happy birthday to Theft of the Magi! This was a really fun project to work on. A companion to the Fiona Clery Mysteries, it’s a cozy set during the week of Christmas in 1922. As you probably guessed by the title, the story is also a nod to O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi. I am so excited to share it with you all. The book is now available on Amazon in paperback and e-book and is in Kindle Unlimited. Follow this link to get your copy!

ABOUT THE BOOK

This holiday season, the halls are decked with thievery.

It’s Christmas, 1922, and Fiona Clery has visions of festive celebrations filled with family and friends dancing through her head. Yet when a string of thefts occurs within her apartment building, the chill of winter puts a damper on her yuletide plans. One by one, various items go missing from her neighbors’ flats. With the help of her friend Max Gillespie and her roommate Rose Ellington, Fiona investigates the thefts. Soon she believes she has the mystery figured out, yet when things take a turn, all her ideas are called into question.

And as Christmas day approaches, Fiona and Max struggle to find gifts for one another. Money is tight and both wish they could find just the right present. Under Rose’s guidance, each believes they’ve found the perfect gift, though it will come at a price.

If you read Theft of the Magi, please consider leaving a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. Reviews are the best part of an author’s day!

Thanks for reading. Merry Christmas! 

-Miranda Atchley

Review: The Mobster's Daughter

 

The Mobster’s Daughter

by Rachel Scott McDaniel

 

About the Book

 

The one man who could help her, must never know her name.

 

If Kate Chamberlin can’t reveal her true identity to the world, she must settle for sharing only her talent. Hired as a musician for KDKA radio, Kate plays everything from sponsors’ jingles to complex sonatas. As long as the whispers around the broadcasting room refer to her as “Killjoy Kate” and not “Catarina the crime boss’s daughter,” then her life is safe from danger.

 

Or so she thinks.

 

When anonymous, violent threats surface, Kate’s wary of accepting protection from the handsome private investigator, Detective Jennings. His save-the-world attitude is as charming as his manners, but no one, especially him, can know the gruesome realities of her birth.

 

The 1924 Pittsburgh underworld is as complicated as it is elusive, and though the dealings of the Salvastanos have dwindled, Rhett Jennings is certain the man responsible for his father’s death is still at large. But his personal hunt for justice must be set aside when his day job requires him to investigate threats directed at a young radio broadcaster with enamoring brown eyes and secretive behavior.

 

When danger surrounds them, will truth of Kate’s past become the key to their survival?

 

My Thoughts

 

Danger and secret identities intertwine in a Jazz Age love story romance readers won’t want to miss.

 

Rachel Scott McDaniel has done it again! With her smart and snappy dialogue combined with her ability to transport readers to 1920s Pittsburgh, she’s given us a heartfelt story of two people from different worlds coming together to uncover a vital truth while falling in love.

 

McDaniel’s characters simply leap off the page. Kate was a true sweetheart. She is talented and caring with a heart of gold. I rooted for her as she adjusted to living in America while keeping her true identity a secret. Rhett was a solid hero. Though flawed, he had a good heart. I thought it was admirable the way he sought justice for his father, and how determined he was to keep Kate safe. They make a lovely couple.

 

There are lots of twists and turns in this book that truly took me by surprise. It really kept me guessing and made for a very engrossing reading experience. Add this to an authentic ‘20s setting brimming with historical details, as well as a faith message anyone can appreciate, and you have a truly amazing read.

 

Sparkling period details, romance, and suspense make The Mobster’s Daughter the perfect read for lovers of historical fiction.

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

Review: Lost in Darkness

 Lost in Darkness

by Michelle Griep

About the Book

Even if there be monsters, there is none so fierce as that which resides in man’s own heart.

Enchanting Regency-Era Gothic Romance Intertwined with Inspiration from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.

Travel writer Amelia Balfour’s dream of touring Egypt is halted when she receives news of a revolutionary new surgery for her grotesquely disfigured brother. This could change everything, and it does…in the worst possible way.

Surgeon Graham Lambert has suspicions about the doctor he’s gone into practice with, but he can’t stop him from operating on Amelia’s brother. Will he be too late to prevent the man’s death? Or to reveal his true feelings for Amelia before she sails to Cairo?

My Thoughts

I loved this book! Simply put; it was amazing. I’m a big fan of Michelle Griep and I adore her talent for writing authentic English Regency/Victorian fiction with a Gothic flair, and Lost in Darkness is a shining example of her immense ability at writing this genre. This is my favorite book by her so far.

I don’t even know where to begin; this book has left me speechless. I loved all of the main characters. Amelia was such a fabulous heroine. Prior to reading this book, I hadn’t known much about female travel writers in the early 19th century. I found it so interesting to read about her career, as well as her time spent with Mary Shelley. Graham was a very likable character. Unlike many of his peers, he has a compassionate heart that drives him to do what is right for his patients rather than his pocketbook. One cannot help but love gentle giant Colin. A misunderstood soul with a truly caring heart, he is a literary character on par with Frankenstein’s monster and Quasimodo, yet sets himself apart with his complete relatability.

The setting of this book is so perfect. As with her other novels, Griep paints a spot-on portrait of 19th century England that will make you wish for a time machine. The half-abandoned estate where Amelia and Colin live lends itself wonderfully to the atmosphere of the novel and pairs seamlessly with the mystery weaved into the story.

Readers that love historical fiction with a Gothic flair will not want to miss Lost in Darkness. Not only do I highly recommend this book, I also must add it to my top ten reads of 2021!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Review Tacos for Two

 Tacos for Two

by Betsy St. Amant

About the Book

Rory Perez, a food truck owner who can’t cook, is struggling to keep the business she inherited from her aunt out of the red – and an upcoming contest during Modest’s annual food truck festival seems the best way to do it. The prize money could finally give a solid financial footing and keep her cousin with special needs paid up at her beloved assisted living home. Then maybe Rory will have enough time to meet the man she’s been talking to via an anonymous online dating site.

Jude Strong is tired of being a puppet at his manipulative father’s law firm, and the food truck festival seems the perfect opportunity to dive into his passion for cooking and finally call his life his own. But if he loses the contest, he’s back at the law firm for good. Failure is not an option.

Complications arise when Rory’s chef gets mono and she realizes she has to cook after all. Then Jude discovers that his stiffest competition is the same woman he’s been falling for online the past month.

Will these unlikely chefs sacrifice it all for the sake of love? Or will there only ever be tacos for one?

My Thoughts

I enjoyed this book even more than I expected to, and I had pretty high hopes going in. Fun and sweet with a little bit of spice, this story kept me turning pages.

Rory was a great heroine. Smart, strong, and driven, she was multidimensional and unique. I love seeing a different culture highlighted in Christian fiction. I found it admirable the way Rory was so dedicated to keeping her aunt’s food truck going, even though she hated cooking, as well as her fierce protection for Hannah. I must admit, in the beginning, I wasn’t so sure about Jude. The whole rich guy trope is not my thing, but I did appreciate that he cared about Maria, and became friends with Alton. There is a charming cast of supporting characters in this book, as well. From Grady and Nicole, to Alton and Hannah, and even Mayor Whit. They all add depth to the story and round out the book.

The story sees both main characters through trials, from familial conflicts, to financial struggles, yet it maintains that lighthearted feel that rom com readers love. Fans of You’ve Got Mail will love the many references to the classic rom com flick. And of course, this is going to make you hungry. I could practically smell all that wonderful Mexican food cooking as I read about the preparations for the food truck contest.

Christian rom com fans rejoice! Tacos for Two is a delightful novel that is most worthy of a spot on your shelf.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Review: A View Most Glorious

 A View Most Glorious

by Regina Scott

About the Book

Headstrong Coraline Baxter has worked all her life to be more than the spoiled socialite others expect. When her fellow suffragettes in Tacoma, Washington, suggest that she should climb to the top of Mount Rainier to prove that a woman can do anything, she instantly resolves to do it. And if she can climb Mount Rainier, her mother promises to stop pressuring her to get married to the wealthy Cash Kincaid. All Cora needs is a guide to get her to the top of the mountain.

Nathan Hardee may look like a mountain man, but he once ruled the halls of society. He left all that behind after his father broke under the financial pressure from Kincaid. To best Kincaid now, Nathan agrees to guide Cora up the mountain.

Climbing Rainier will require all of Cora’s strength and will lead her and Nathan to rediscover their faith in God and humanity. These two loners make unlikely partners in righting a wrong and may just discover that only together is the view most glorious.

My Thoughts

I absolutely loved this book! I am a huge fan of anything to do with suffragettes and reading about them is one of my favorite past times, so I immediately knew this was going to be the book for me. It did not disappoint, and I enjoyed it even more than I’d anticipated.

Cora was my favorite kind of heroine. She was smart and strong and passionate about the women’s suffrage movement. Yet she also had a kind heart that cared for the less fortunate. It was so fun to read about her going from dressing in luxurious ball gowns for elegant dinner parties and nights at the opera to following her journey up the mountain in the name of women’s right. I loved reading about this head-strong woman who fell in love with Mount Rainier.

And Nathan was my favorite kind of hero. He has strong opinions of his own, yet is not domineering toward Cora, nor does he try to hem her in. Though he had been disillusioned after his father’s death, reading about him letting go of the past and embracing a future with Cora was wonderful.

Mount Rainier is a character itself in the book and what a stunning setting for a story it was! I learned a lot about the mountain as I read about Cora and Nathan’s hike. The author’s passion and familiarity with Rainier is abundantly clear in this book and she writes about the landmark with such appreciation and care. Reading about the meadows of wildflowers, the camps, and the snowcapped top was just awe inspiring.

A View Most Glorious is one of my new favorite books. I highly recommend this book to those who loves Christian historical fiction…or just a good read in general.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

It's Release Day!

 

Today’s the day! Murder at the Picture Show is officially out! It’s been such a journey getting here and I am so thrilled to share this book with you all. Follow this link to purchase the book in paperback and e-book formats. This book is also available in Kindle Unlimited.

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

 

Lights. Camera. Murder.

 

On an autumn evening in New York City, amateur sleuth Fiona Clery and her partner Max Gillespie attend the picture house for the premiere of a silent film shot in their city. The night is filled with excitement and glamor…until the star of the film, Sylvie Boscombe, is murdered. Unable to sit back with a killer on the loose, Fiona pursues the case, leading her across the city, from opulent neighborhoods, to film sets, to the underground speakeasies Sylvie frequented. When a man she believes to be innocent is arrested for the murder, Fiona’s search becomes all the more urgent. Can she solve the case before it’s too late?

 

Meanwhile, Max gets a shocking surprise about his past that could offer answers to questions he has long held. And Fiona makes a discovery regarding her missing sister that could blow the case wide open.

 

GIVEAWAY

 

I’m giving away a Kindle edition of Murder at the Picture Show to one lucky winner! Must be 18 or older to enter.

 

 

Review: Follow the Dawn

Follow the Dawn by Rachelle Rea Cobb
About the Book
Anna Emory grew up the invisible younger sister, shy and quiet, and she prefers it that way. But her father’s attempts to arrange an unsavory marriage teach her that courage is sometimes found in adversity.
Then she meets a boy and his father who tip her quiet world upside down.
Captain Mathieu Tudder has run from responsibility, entrusting his young son’s care to another and devoting his Sea Beggar ship to the cause of the Dutch Revolution. After the cause fails, Tudder returns to England for the son he left behind, all he has left of the wife he lost. But Titus prefers a mysteriously quiet nursemaid to his estranged father.
Tudder wants his son back, yet Anna stands in his way. Will these two hearts—the battle-scarred and the broken—ever find true freedom?

My Thoughts
A tender romance unfolds against the backdrop of a tumultuous chapter in English history as two wounded hearts are offered a second change.
I had the pleasure of reading Rachelle’s Steadfast Love series a few years ago and found it to be a lovely story. To my knowledge, there isn’t a bevy of fiction written about this specific period in time, particularly in the Christian market, and I think that’s a shame. It’s a very interesting chapter and lends a nice thematic backdrop to romance novels. Rachelle Rea Cobb brings this era to life with a skilled hand.
I loved Anna. She was such a sweet heroine who I immediately felt endeared to. It’s refreshing to see a heroine who isn’t perfect, yet is bold all the same. Reading about her fleeing her father’s overbearing control was not unlike reading of England’s freedom fight threaded throughout the story.
Tudder was a good balance to Anna. He’s strong and a bit rough around the edges, but he’s a teddy bear with a heart of gold. It was also nice to see some of the characters from the Steadfast Love series make an appearance.
Follow the Dawn is a well-crafted romance that fans of inspirational historical fiction won’t want to miss!
All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Many thanks to the author and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book.

Review: The Thief of Lanwyn Manor

The Thief of Lanwyn Manor by Sarah E. Ladd
About the Book
 In Regency England an advantageous match could set up a lady for life. Julia knows Matthew Blake, copper mine owner and very eligible bachelor, is the gentleman she should set her eyes upon. But why can’t she steal her gaze away from his younger brother, Isaac?
Cornwall, England, 1818

Julia Twethewey needs a diversion to mend her broken heart, so when her cousin invites her to Lanwyn Manor, Julia eagerly accepts. The manor is located at the heart of Cornwall’s mining industry, and as a guest Julia is swept into its intricate world. It’s not long, though, before she realizes something dark lurks within the home’s ancient halls.

As a respected mine owner’s younger son, Isaac Blake is determined to keep his late father’s legacy alive through the family business, despite his brother’s careless attitude. In order to save their livelihood—and that of the people around them—the brothers approach the master of Lanwyn Manor with plans to bolster the floundering local industry. Isaac can’t deny his attraction to the man’s charming niece, but his brother has made clear his intentions to court the lovely visitor. And Isaac knows his place.

When tragedy strikes, mysteries arise, and valuables go missing, Julia and Isaac find they are pulled together in a swirl of strange circumstances, but despite their best efforts to bow to social expectations, their hearts aren’t so keen to surrender.
My Thoughts
A beloved author of Regency fiction returns with a tale of ghosts, a missing treasure, and love. Set against the hauntingly beautiful geography of Cornwall, The Thief of Lanwyn Manor is a treat for readers that love Regency fiction with a subtle Gothic flair.
One of my favorite things about Sarah E. Ladd’s novels is her engaging style of writing. All of her books contain enough mystery to ground the novel and keep the story flowing, but are wrapped in such a refreshingly sweet voice that makes me feel right at home. Like cozying up with a warm blanket on a stormy day.
Ladd’s characters always shine, and her latest cast is among my favorites. Julia was a lovely heroine. She’s kind and caring with enough spunk to give her courage. The sort of girl you want to befriend. I also really liked Isaac. He was a strong, thoughtful hero with a good heart. My favorite kind! I thought he and Julia made a wonderful couple.
The plot is filled with twists and turns, adding excitement to the novel. Who doesn’t love a good treasure hunt with a few ghostly myths thrown in for good measure?
Historical romance readers will delight in The Thief of Lanwyn Manor. Highly recommend!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.