Beyond Reasonable Doubt

Author: Robert Dugoni

Series: Keera Duggan #2

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Release Date: October 22, 2024

Robert Dugoni has crafted a spectacular legal thriller that will keep fans on the edge of their seats.

Keera Duggan has had some hard cases in her time as a lawyer but none as hard as having to defend a childhood former friend accused of murder. She knows how manipulative Jenna Bernstein can be ever since they were young and had several run ins with Jenna that didn’t end well. This isn’t the first time Jenna has been accused of murder; the first time Keera’s dad got her off and now it’s Keera’s turn. Trouble follows Jenna wherever she goes and if Keera isn’t careful, she might just find herself caught up in the trouble with her.

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

This is the second book in the Keera Duggan series and by far better than the first. I enjoyed the first book, but it was only mediocre. This one was hands down better, better story, better character connection and much more tension to keep the story moving at a fast pace. The back and forth between Keera and Jenna was spot on, especially when Keera would go into memories of what happened between the two of them when they were younger. Robert Dugoni has a way with writing female protagonist in a way that all readers will relate to and want to route for and see succeed. He has done this with his Tracy Crosswhite series and now Keera Duggan. This story had a particularly good flow to it, regardless of if they are in the courtroom or researching things for the case. Robert Dugoni is a one of a kind author that seems to not be able to write a bad book. Fans looking for a fantastic legal thriller will not want to miss this one.

Specters in the Glass House

Author: Jaime Jo Wright

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: October 1, 2024

Jaime Jo Wright is back with her best yet! She continues to fascinate me with her ability to craft the most amazing and touching stories.

After both of her parents pass away, Marian Arnold returns to her childhood home and her mother’s butterfly house. In 1921, prohibition shut down her family’s brewing empire and left Marian with very little. Shortly after she returns home, Marian starts having nightmares and wonders if she is going crazy as dead butterflies appear along with a dead body in the butterfly house. Marian finds solace in her childhood friend Felix who is also dealing with ghosts from his past. Together they must work past the ghosts and butterflies to find a future.

In the present-day timeline, Remy Shaw is a researcher coming to help an elderly biographer looking into the murders and mystery behind Marian Arnold and all that happened at the manor. One of Marian’s decedents shows up at the manor wanting to make sure the story is told correctly. But mystery and danger haven’t strayed far from the manor and yet another generation might be in for more than can take.

Jaime Jo Wright gets better with each novel and this newest one is no exception. I have loved all of her books but this one was by far the best. When you think of butterflies, the next step is not serial killers and ghosts. The dual timeline is something Wright has just about perfected after so many books and she does it better than almost anyone else. It doesn’t matter if it is the past or present timeline, I found myself connected with the characters and the storyline. Usually, a story with a historical timeline is not my “cup of tea” but when Wright is creating the story I know I’m going to connect with the story and characters. If I can connect with characters, then I am hooked into the story till the end. This is the kind of story that is perfect timing coming out right around Halloween. I would recommend this story to readers that love a little spooky with their romantic suspense but also just a fantastic story with great characters.

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

A Hope Unburied

Author: Kimberley Woodhouse

Series: Treasures of the Earth #3

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: September 24, 2024

A middle of the pack historical romance for me. Good but not great.

Becoming a paleontologist in the early 1900s is not something a woman does, but it is exactly what Eliza Mills does to follow her passion. In order to break into the field, she has had to publish papers under a false name until she is able to earn her place at Carnegie Museum. When she gets the chance to work at Dinosaur National Monument in Utah, she jumps at the chance and finds things aren’t what they seem. Devin Schmitt has been Eliza’s closest friend for years and would love to be more. When he has just about given up on being more than just friends, Eliza asks for him to visit her in Utah. Both Devin and Eliza quickly find themselves in danger and a web of lies and betrayal that may just be impossible to find their way out.

Kimberley Woodhouse is a great writer. I usually enjoy her books, and I did with this one but it was too much of a slow start. The ending made up for it with the high stakes and action. The relationship between Devin and Eliza played out well and once they found themselves in trouble I found myself invested in the story. The early parts of it where too much “woe is me” for the hardships she faced trying to break into the male dominated field. If the story could have focused more on their dynamic earlier on it would have been even more enjoyable. I do think this book is just right for the fans of historical romance and fans of Woodhouse’s writing.

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

A Token of Love

Author: Carrie Turansky

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: September 3, 2024

A dual timeline story that is full of mystery, adventure and a perfect amount of romance.

Lillian Freemont wants nothing more than to reunite with her niece, Alice, whom she hasn’t seen in 8 years. 1885 in London makes that more difficult. Lillian gets the help of investigative reporter Matthew McGivern and together they try to track down Alice and can’t hide the growing attraction to one another. In Present day London, Janelle Spencer runs a museum and during a search of the archives with Jonas Conrad she discovers articles from the past that if brought to life will change everything. Janelle wants to protect the reputation of the museum, but it might be harder than she imagined.

I love a good dual timeline story, and this one had the perfect mix of mystery, adventure and intrigue to keep me glued to the page. I enjoyed the present day timeline more than the one set in the past; just the dynamic of it all was more my pace. Janelle and the way she dealt with the mystery and how it would affect the museum had such tight tension, an amazing way to move a story along at a fast pace. This is probably the best Turansky novel I have read and am happy to recommend this one to readers that have enjoyed her work and want to keep reading clean, crisp historical romance.

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