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book reviews |
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Award-winning, multi-volume author, Veronica Cline Barton, introduces us to the third volume in the “My American Almost Royal Cousin Series”, Deadly Receptions: The stakes have never been higher for American heiress Gemma Lancaster Phillips, now firmly ensconced as both resident and employee of her ancestral estate, Cherrywood Hall. Together with her cousin Evan, 8th Marquess of Kentshire, and her boyfriend Kyle, the estate manager, Gemma wants nothing more than to pull off the royal wedding of the season while planning the premiere and U.S. tour for the period drama series, Castlewood Manor, and attending the Telly Tiara awards show. But an ex-love threatens Gemma's and Kyle's relationship, while the reveal of explosive secrets has the potential to shatter Gemma's relationship with her cousin and her future at Cherrywood Hall. Jealousy and revenge mix with royal drama, power plays and scandal as the Tellys grow closer—with deadly results. Will Gemma, with the help of Scotland Yard, be able to put a stop to the mayhem? Or will the wedding, the tour, the Tellys—and Gemma's life—be ruined?  The story of the transformation of Cherrywood Hall into a highly popular British period drama, ala Downton Abbey, continues. The first season of the television series is completed and there are hints of awards being won in many categories. Now, Gemma, Sir Kyle and potential award winners relocate 1/3 the way around the world for pre-award shows and celebrations. I love the way Veronica weaves so many different elements into her stories. She is a star in her dialogues, the settings are marvelous and the action is easily visualized. I am enjoying her costuming and menus more and more. She makes me hungry at times. The non-stop cross-country train trip was a lot of fun. The perfect setting for dastardly deeds, as used by another female writer in the past. The tension of traveling with an unknown killer was tantalizing! I loved the story and the writing. “Deadly Receptions” gets 4.9 stars.  You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp-deadly-receptions https://www.goodreads.com/-deadly-receptions https://www.bookbub.com/books/deadly-receptions-by-veronica-cline-barton You can follow Veronica Cline Barton: https://twitter.com/VClinebarton https://myamericanalmostroyalcousinseries.com https://www.facebook.com/myamericanalmostroyalcousinseries https://www.amazon.com/Veronica-Cline-Barton https://www.goodreads.com/author/Veronica_Cline_Barton https://www.bookbub.com/authors/veronica-cline-barton Here is the review of the first book: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-crown-for-castlewood-manor-by-veronica-cline-barton Here is the review of the second book: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/cast-crew-and-carnage-the-filming-of-castlewood-manor-my-american-almost-royal-cousin-series-by-veronica-cline-barton Here is the review of the fourth book: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/mistletoe-and-mayhem-yuletide-at-castlewood-manor Here is the review of the fifth book: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/double-trouble-showtime-at-castlewood-manor-by-veronica-cline-barton Tags: mystery, suspense, traditional detective, cozy, murder, castle Copyright © 2019 Mark Schultz not including the author's blurb
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Multi-volume author, Linda Lingle introduces us to her debut novel, Dear Heart: Deirdre Reid and Hartley Tate feel an immediate attraction when they meet at the office where they will work together and fall in love. There is only one problem: they are married to others and Lee has four daughters to whom he is devoted. For 15 months Deirdre and Lee carry on a passionate affair. Then Lee’s wife is offered a big promotion across the country. With his heart breaking, Lee leaves Deirdre in San Francisco and moves East with his family so his wife can advance her high-powered career. Soon, unforeseen circumstances have Deirdre second-guessing her insistence on a clean break. She resists every impulse to fly to Lee’s side, but on the first anniversary of their parting, Deirdre grows increasingly regretful and melancholy. Then she receives a surprising Christmas present, which sets in motion a 38-year ritual that, against all odds, keeps alive the love she shared with Lee. As their destiny unfolds, Deirdre and Lee dream about finding their way back to each other’s arms, and an unlikely guide emerges to light the path of their journey.  I wasn’t sure what to think when I started to read this book about marital infidelity. It’s written in first person POV, which I greatly enjoy, when it’s done right. There is no danger of head hopping in this story. The more I read, the more I enjoyed this wistfully told tale. I lived in San Francisco and the bay area for a number of years and I felt right at home in the story. The scene-setting was delightful, action and dialogue were perfect. I laughed out loud more than once. My eyes got a little sweaty once or twice also. This story was such a wonderful pleasure to read. I give “Dear Heart” a score of 4.8 stars.  You can buy this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Dear-Heart-Linda-Lingle-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/-dear-heart https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dear-Heart-Linda-Lingle-ebook You can follow the author: https://twitter.com/lindalinglebks https://www.lindalinglebooks.com https://www.facebook.com/LindaLingleBooks https://www.amazon.com/Linda-Lingle Here is a link to the review of the second book and interview: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/sweet-heart-by-linda-lingle Tags: romance, contemporary, historical Copyright © 2019 by Mark L. Schultz except for the author's introduction Multi-volume author, Jeff Stookey, introduces us to the second volume in his “Medicine for the Blues” series, “Chicago Blues”: Jimmy Harper arrives in Chicago with the Diggs Monroe Jazz Orchestra, seeking fame and fortune. Instead, he descends into the jazz underworld where he becomes entangled in dark dealings with a sinister mob boss and in an erotic affair with a black drag performer. In this unfamiliar world, Jimmy begins to question whether he can trust anyone, even his old band members. "… a finely woven tale of self-discovery and acceptance." —Poison Waters/Kevin Cook, Drag Queen Extraordinaire. The trilogy Medicine for the Blues, a work of historical gay fiction, explores the complexities of gender and sexuality through the lens of the early 1920s. Chicago Blues follows Book 1 Acquaintance. The story continues in Book 3 Dangerous Medicine.  I really enjoy the style and quality of writing that comes from the heart and pen of Jeff Stookey. He has an amazing eye for so many details in this historical fiction, I feel like I am right there. His scene-setting is marvelous, dialog and action are impeccable. Everything seems so real. I give this book 5 stars! It’s so good. You can buy this book: https://www.amazon.com/Chicago-Blues-Medicine-Book-ebook https://www.goodreads.com/-chicago-blues https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chicago-Blues-Medicine-Book Tags: LGBTQ, gay, jazz, music, singing, drugs, mobsters, Chicago * * * Multi-volume author Jeff Stookey introduces us to the third volume, in his series “Medicine for the Blues, “Dangerous Medicine”: In a time when homosexuals had to hide their identity, Dr. Carl Holman’s status with the respected clinic where he works is imperiled by pressures from the Ku Klux Klan, societal expectations to marry, and other forces beyond his control. As compassion impels him to treat unorthodox cases involving addiction, birth control, and child abuse, he must make difficult decisions about his professional and domestic affairs. Can Carl and those he loves find a way to live authentic lives in a hostile world?  I really enjoy Jeff’s writing, his first person POV is tops, bar none. The reading is so smooth, you are transported to the time and place in the book without any effort on your part. Splendid scene-setting, accompanied by awesome action and dynamic dialogue, will leave you breathless at the end of the book and the series. The finale of “Medicine for the Blues” series, “Dangerous Medicine” gets the top score of 5 stars! You can buy this book: https://www.amazon.com/dangerous-medicine-jeff-stookey https://www.goodreads.com/-dangerous-medicine https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dangerous-Medicine-Blues-Jeff-Stookey  You can follow Jeff Stookey:
https://twitter.com/jstookey108 https://jeffstookey.com/ http://medicinefortheblues.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Medicine-for-the-Blues-804068619770425 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-stookey-2b5357141 https://www.flickr.com/photos/153028055@N04/albums https://www.instagram.com/jeffstookey1923 Tags: LGBT, gay, jazz, medicine, historical fiction, Oregon, My review of the first book in the series: www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/acquaintance-medicine-for-the-blues-book-1-by-jeff-stookey Copyright © Mark Schultz 2019 except for the author's introductions |
Who am I?An avid reader, typobuster, and the Hyper-Speller. I am a husband, father, and grandfather. Archives
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