Lady of a Thousand Treasures

lady Author: Sandra Byrd

Series: Victorian Ladies #1

Publisher: Tyndale

Release Date: October 9, 2018

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Fabulous Victorian era novel showing a strong woman!

As the daughter and niece of the Sheffield Brothers, well know evaluators of antiquities, Eleanor has become quite adept at differentiating a fake from the real thing. If only she could have done that with Harry Lydney, the man who broke her heart. With the sudden passing of her father and the decline of her uncle’s mind, Eleanor finds herself with the potential of losing the firm that she loves since a woman is not allowed to run the business alone. When Harry’s father, Baron Lydney, a longtime client of Sheffield brothers passes, Eleanor is named the trustee of his antique collection. She must now decide whether to have the artifacts donated to a museum or allow them to pass down to Harry. If she donates them, she will build credit with potential collectors that could revive Sheffield Brothers. But Harry also claims that he still loves her and tries to show her that he is worthy of the collection. How will Eleanor decide this time?

Typically I’m not a huge fan of Victorian era fiction, but the synopsis for this one intrigued me. I’m glad that I gave it a try. The historic setting that Byrd provided brought the whole novel to life for me. I also really enjoyed getting to see a strong female character that wasn’t fully entranced with romance through the whole book. Eleanor was very intelligent and it showed throughout. Faith was also a great element in this book. I can’t wait to see what the next installment brings.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Silver Shoes

The Silver Shoes Author: Jill G. Hall

Publisher: She Writes Press

Release Date: June 19, 2018

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

So much fun getting to know these women and watch them achieve fulfillment in their lives.

Anne McFarland is in the middle of a cross country romance. Her boyfriend Sergio lives in New York City and she loves visiting the him and the city too, but she is currently residing in San Francisco. While on a trip to visit Sergio, Anne stumbles into a vintage antique shop and finds a pair of old shoes that must have a story attached to them. As an artists, these shoes give her an inspiration and she buys them. She soon finds clues that leads Anne on a mission to uncover the shoes original owner.

In 1929, Clair Deveraux is a sheltered socialite that wants more out of life than to just be a pretty face for a future husband. She wants to go to university, but her father just wants to marry her off to someone who is twice her age for her financial well being. While looking for some items in Macy’s, she befriends a young store clerk named Winnie who leads Clair on an adventure to a speakeasy and to discovering a new era of music that can’t keep her body still. But when Clair’s father suddenly loses all their wealth in the stock market crash, she finds herself wrapped up in this new world in an effort to save her family.

This was a really fun story to relate to two different women in different eras. Both woman had different circumstances, yet were looking for fulfillment in life and each woman was able to find it. The past/present crossover storyline seems to be really picking up popularity with several readers. I have found that typically the reader relates to one character more than the other, which I think was more the case with Anne for me. There was more similarities that I could identify with based on her life, but I still enjoyed both stories. I enjoyed getting to know both woman as the author made it very easy to be able to do that. The writing was clean and the storyline was fantastic. I recommend this book to people who enjoy contemporary crossover romances and women’s fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Light Before Day

Light Before Day Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Series: Nantucket Legacy #3

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: October 2, 2018

Reviewer: Jennifer S. Roman

The third book of the Nantucket Legacy series finds Ren and Daphne Macy setting off on the Endeavour for their own adventures on the high seas before they are too old to enjoy it. The twins, Henry and Hitty, are young adults. Hitty teaches at the Cent school, while Henry is at a loss what to do. He has just returned from a voyage himself, and realizes he does not want to spend his life on the sea. Their plans, or lack thereof, come to a halt when a solicitor, Benjamin Foulger, comes to town with news. The twins are the sole heirs to their grandmother Lillian’s estate, but it comes with several provisions. The first phase is the inheritance of the Grand House, along with some properties and stocks, and the second phase is the remainder of her vast wealth. The conditions require Hitty and Henry to keep all monies on the island; they must remain in good standing with the Friends (Quakers); and they must marry someone in good standing of the faith within six years. Together, the twins come up with solutions to benefit the island without being under their grandmother’s thumb; however, the marrying part may prove to be more of a challenge. Hitty’s heart is set on Isaac Barnard, an eccentric inventor and widower, who doesn’t seem to be aware of her existence; Henry loves Anna Gardner, but her goals of abolitionism and integration don’t leave her much time for love.

So much happens in this book that is based on a true tidbit or fact, so readers learn about the early history of Nantucket while enjoying a good story. The colorful characters that we have come to know from previous books in the series have their own sub-plots, which give the book depth and interest. As usual, at the end of each chapter was an excerpt from Great Mary’s journal, as it is handed down to the next generation throughout the books. Even more history and words of wisdom are shared throughout these journal entries. There is no one main storyline in this book, which is a bit different from the others. I was not as fond of this style of storytelling, but the overall message was worth the bit of disappointment.

The characters develop as the books carry on, and the historical significance keeps interest while educating. This third (and I believe final) installment is a great wrap up of the previous generations’ influence on the most recent one, with the current generation adding its personal touch. I thoroughly enjoyed the overall story and its message of seeing the light in everyone and in the future, even when things look bleak. I highly recommend this book for mature teens and adult readers.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Rise of the Mystics

Rise of the Mystics Author: Ted Dekker

Series: Beyond the Circle #2

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: October 2, 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Fans of Dekker and the Circle series will not want to miss this this follow-up installment that holds true to all that fans have come to expect from this exceptional writer.

It has been many years since the death of Thomas Hunter, but he is still remembered in our world and the world he still lives in. No one has gone between the worlds like he did until now. Rachelle Matthews has somehow found a way into that other world just as Thomas Hunter did. In this world, she learned she was the 49^th mystic and is on a mission to find the five ancient seals before they can be destroyed by her enemies. Having already found the first three seals, she now searches for the final two. If she fails in her quest, the world will be plunged into darkness. She is going up against a dark force, Vlad Smith, who has her locked in a dungeon and is about to turn both worlds upside down. If she can find the Realm of Mystics and the final two seals without losing everything, she just might save both worlds.

If you are a fan of the circle series then this is one you will not want to miss. The 49^th Mystic and Rise of the Mystics are a great pair to add to the circle series. I’ve always thought there was so much more story to tell from that series and am glad to see Dekker bringing fans beyond the circle. It took me a little while to get through this book because you have to follow so closely to everything that is happening. Dekker’s books have to be slowly absorbed and savored. It’s not like fast food, it’s more like a five course meal that every bite is better than the last. Each chapter brings about a part of the story fans will think back on to previous books and it will bring a smile to their face remembering all of the aspects of the circle they might have forgotten. I don’t want to give anything away, but one part with Thomas Hunter will have fans cheering with delight. Rachelle is still finding her strength and learning from those around her, just as we should follow the guidance of those that God puts in our lives. To me this is a much better closeout to the series than Green, what we all thought was the final book in the series. I’m sure Dekker could find a way to bring more from the story if he so chooses, but for me this was satisfactory and left me with a feeling of closure with all of the characters. I recommend this book to fans of the circle series. If you are new to reading Ted Dekker, this is not the one to start with as you will not have even a fraction of what you need to understand what is happening here. For readers that are intrigued by the premise of Rise of the Mystics I recommend reading the circle series and then diving into The 49^th Mystic and Rise of the Mystics, you won’t be disappointed!

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Under My Skin

Under my skin Author: Lisa Unger

Publisher: Park Row Publishing

Release Date: October 2, 2018

Rating: 4 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

A griping suspense thriller where just when you think you know what is happening you really have no idea!

What do you do when you can’t tell if your nightmares are really that or truly memories? When Poppy’s husband Jack was murdered while going for a run, her world came crashing down. She couldn’t handle it and disappeared for days only to turn up confused and wearing clothes she didn’t remember putting on and no memory of where she had been. While she is trying to figure out what happened to her during those missing days and what happened to her husband, more nightmares plague her causing her to fear for her own sanity and safety. She starts to feel as if she is being followed and wonders if the person responsible for killing Jack could now be after her. Is finding out the truth worth it? Or will it even be something she can handle?

Under My Skin did something few books are able to do for me: up until the very end I didn’t guess who the killer was and was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. I tore through this book because I was so eager to get to the end and see how that was going to play out. I thought the author did a really good job building up the mystery while keeping the reader guessing about who was a good guy and who might be the bad guy. Poppy and the relationship she had with Layla, her best friend, and the other characters showed such different sides of her personality and made it a fun game to try and figure out what was really going on. The more the people around her push to stay close and figure out what is happening with her the more Poppy runs away. Is she running away from them? Or running away from the truth? This was a good read for several reasons: it kept me guessing and showed a good character arc throughout the story. The language and content is for a more mature audience and that is where I would recommend for readers to really enjoy.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Cross Her Heart

Cross her heart Author: Sarah Pinbogough

Publisher: William Morrow

Release Date: September 4, 2018

Rating: 4 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Cross your heart and hope to die can be a very serious pact to some. Cross Her Heart shows just how dangerous breaking that kind of promise can be.

Lisa’s life was going great, things with her job have never been better, and although her relationship with her daughter Ava is not at its best, she wouldn’t trade it for the world. A new client at work has started showing interest in her and she wonders if maybe it is time to explore that part of her world she has shut off for so long. Secrets she has kept locked deep inside have kept her from venturing out and letting others in too close. Even her best friend Marilyn doesn’t know all her secrets. Things all come unhinged when Ava rescues a boy from drowning at the lake and they all get their picture in the news bringing her past to light. With her world crumbling and not knowing who she can trust, Lisa has to figure out who is behind the horrible events in her life and how she can stop them before Lisa and Ava pay the ultimate price.

This is the first Sarah Pinborough book I have read and I have to say I was most impressed with her character development and the way she kept the secrets hidden for so long into the story. I put the pieces of the puzzle together just before all was revealed, but that isn’t because it was easy to figure things out. I am just a huge fan of thrillers and pride myself on figuring things out and not getting surprised. I loved seeing things unfold and the back and forth dialogue to reveal the story little by little. A lot of time, the dialogue between the past and present can be confusing and pull readers from the story. It takes a very skilled writer to be able to pull that off and I am happy to say Pinborough is one of the best I have read at this. Lisa was a very complicated character, and with a past as complicated as hers, she is one that readers will enjoy getting to know. Ava is a typical teenager and was written as such. One of the nicest things about this novel was the fact that even the secondary characters were relevant at every moment they were written. The language and themes throughout make this for a mature audience only and did turn me off at times. Overall I recommend this for a mature audience that loves a psychological thriller.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Rule of One

"Steely-vented hummingbird (Amazilia saucerrottei), perched on verbena plant, Costa Rica, July" Authors: Ashley Saunders, Leslie Saunders

Publisher: Skyscape

Release Date: October 1, 2018

Rating: 4 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

When telling the truth becomes more dangerous than telling a lie, a young girl’s life is turned upside down when her secret is exposed and she has to find the strength to fight for the truth.

In the future, the United States is not what it once was. A strict one child only policy has been enforced making everyone subject to the Rule of One. Ava Goodwin is the daughter of the head of the Texas Family Planning Division, one of the highest positions in the country, and is therefore always under scrutiny. This makes her secret even harder to keep, she has an identical twin sister, Mira. The two have been living as one for the past eighteen years. They have to keep every detail of their lives in order as they trade places day after day. All is going fine until one day they are exposed and told to run by their father as he is taken into custody. They are all labeled as traitors and the girls fugitives. As they rush to find safety in a world out to get them, they find unlikely allies and an underground group favoring for the old America.

I thought the premise of this book sounded very interesting for several different reasons. First of all, I am a twin and wanted to see how the story would play out in that aspect. Secondly, dystopian novels are all the rage right now and this one did a great job of world building in the future but keeping things relatable and easy to follow. I enjoyed the back and forth between Ava and Mira, especially the way they came into their own as the book progressed. Being a twin, I am aware more than most of the fact that it is easy to label twins as one person but each is their own individual and needs to be treated that way. When times were tough, Ava and Mira were actually able to express themselves as individuals and we got to see them grow as characters. A few of the minor characters could have been developed further and seemed too short and then abruptly ended. The ending was just enough for this book, but left open for a follow up which I intend to read. My one big critique would have to be the language, I know harsher language is becoming more common but I have a problem when it is in young adult novels. The words were not strung out on every page but the few that were in the book were harsher than I would like to see in these novels for young readers. Overall I would recommend this to a more mature audience and those that enjoy a good dystopian read.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Royal Order of the Fighting Dragons

Fighting Dragons Author: Dan Elish

Publisher: Vesuvian Books

Release Date: August 7, 2018

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

With a sprinkle of humor and a double dose of action, The Royal Order of Fighting Dragons is sure to be a hit with kids and even their parents.

When Ike Rupert Hollingsberry starts getting strange messages about how his father died on the set of The Fighting Dragons, he starts to question what really happened all those years ago. Things get even more interesting when a giant locust attacks outside of his school. That was exactly how his father was killed on the show. Ike works together with Elmira Hand, who is in his class and keeps a blog about the show. After Ike kills the locusts, he is taken to a secret location to become the next in line to lead the Royal Order of the Fighting Dragons. What everyone thought was just a TV show turns out to be real, the locusts, the dragons and those fighting to keep the world safe.

With a diverse group of characters and a magical story, this is sure to be a crowd pleaser. I enjoyed this more than I thought I would, the storyline flowed and there were just enough twists and turns to keep things very interesting. Ike is unsure of himself just enough to make him the right lead character, he’s not cocky or whiny because of the blows life has dealt him. He is able to rise to the occasion and see the potential in his team and use that to carry on and not be set back. Having Elmira find the bylaws and use that as a way to bring his friends into the story when they weren’t part of the order was a great way to move the story along and keep it believable. The ending and how a few of the characters played out didn’t fit just right for me, thought they could have used a little more fleshing out before doing a one eighty on attitudes. I feel that this is just the first in a series and am looking forward to where the next will go. This was written very appropriately for the age group it is intended for with no language and the violence kept to a minimum. I really appreciate when an author stays true to whom they are writing to and keeps it age appropriate. It has become so common to see harsh language and themes suggested that are not appropriate for little eyes to read. I recommend this for kids who enjoy a good magical action story with a little bit of history and humor sprinkled in for good measure.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

A Secret to Die For

A secret to die for Author: Lisa Harris

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: September 18, 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

A fun romantic suspense read with just the right amount of tension to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Grace Callahan is trying to get her life back on track. After suffering the loss of her daughter and going through a divorce, she has moved back to Dallas and is helping others as a psychologist. As the anniversary of her daughter’s death approaches, she readies herself for an emotional roller coaster. Little does she know it is about to get a lot worse. She is drawn into a major terrorist scheme involving murder, cyber hacking and the reintroduction of an old friend. Detective Nate Quinn is dealing with his own demons when he lands the case of a murder that leads him to Grace Callahan, someone he hasn’t seen or thought of in years. Finding out how deeply she is involved in the case, even without her realizing it, and trying to keep them both alive is a bit much for his first case back after being involved in a bombing that killed eighteen, including his partner. Together, Grace and Nate will have to work together to stop the cyber-attack and keep the country safe.

Lisa Harris’s newest installment is definitely one that will keep readers on the edge of their seats and questioning everything they think they know of the characters until the very end. I love when I read a romantic suspense book that is not filled with sappy romance scenes. To me, the romance is built by the tension and the way the characters come together by tackling the tough moments and coming out the other side stronger. Grace was a great character. She was strong and determined and even though she wanted to give up at times after the struggles she faced, she didn’t. I also loved that in certain scenes it might have been convenient for a big strong male character to come in and save the day didn’t happen. Grace was able to pull up her boot straps and do just fine on her own. The ending felt a little rushed and I was hoping for a little more but still not much to complain about. I hope that we can see more from these character in the future. I recommend this to readers that love Lisa Harris and romantic suspense reads. If you haven’t read anything by Lisa Harris before this would be the perfect book to get you started with her writing.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Impossible Girl

The Impossible Girl Author: Lydia Y. Kang

Publisher: Lake Union

Release Date: September 18, 2018

Rating: 4 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

A dark historical mystery that is perfect for fall reading!

Every era has a dark side and New York City in 1850 is no exception. People with abnormalities die all the time, but now people want to know more about these abnormalities, they want to dissect the people and see what made them occur. In fact, there are plenty of people to pay nicely for such a body. From aneurysms to blocked arteries to being born with multiple appendages, these are worth big money to explore and then display to the public. Cora Lee is the only female resurrectionist and she plays the game well. She stays one step ahead of those looking for bodies to purchase. After all, she has to. She was born with two hearts.

This was definitely a welcome change in my reading schedule. It was almost like a forced shift from light summer reading to a dark, fall read that keeps your mind spinning throughout the night. This book just had a little bit of everything: grave robbing, freak show abnormalities, expected murders, and a cat and mouse game. Kang always brings together a well told story that will keep the reader intrigued from beginning to end. This story flowed better than some of her past books and kept me pretty well hooked throughout, which was probably the subject and timeframe of the story. If you enjoy a little more on the darker side of a novel, give this one a try!

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.