Amish Christmas Twins by Shelley Shepard Gray, Loree Lough, and Rachel Good

 

Book Summary

Amish Christmas Twins by Shelley Shepard Gray, Loree Lough, and Rachel Good contains three heartwarming stories.  The Christmas Not-Wish by Shelley Shepard Gray has E.A. and Will Kurtz fostering siblings, Roy and Jemima.   The siblings have had a rough time the last three years since their parents passed and they just want a loving forever home.  They feel they have found it with the Kurtzes until Jemima overhears some news that will cause a major change in their lives.

New Beginnings by Rachel J. Good has Elizabeth Yoder still grieving the loss of her husband and unborn child.  It is almost Christmas and she feels the loss most keenly.  Luke Bontrager has loved Elizabeth since they were teenagers, but when his best friend, Owen started to court Elizabeth, he did not make his affections known.  Luke wants to help Elizabeth get through this difficult time.  When a local home for teen moms called New Beginnings needs donations, Elizabeth makes the ultimate sacrifice by giving them everything from her nursery.  On Christmas Day, Elizabeth receives an unexpected gift.  This is a chance for a new beginning for Elizabeth and for Luke.

Twins Times Two by Loree Lough has Jubal getting injured after the double trouble twins goad his bull.  As punishment, the four boys must help Jubal with the chores around his dairy farm while he is recovering.  They must also find a member of the community that is in need and take action by Christmas Eve.  Abigail has been a widow for three years and regrets the words she said to Jubal on the night of the accident.  It seems everyone in the community is aware of how Jubal and Abigail feel for each other.  Maybe they just need a little help which four boys are happy to provide.  

Twins Times Two by Loree Lough has Jubal getting injured after the double trouble twins goad his bull.  As punishment, the four boys must help Jubal with the chores around his dairy farm while he is recovering.  They must also find a member of the community that is in need and take action by Christmas Eve.  Abigail has been a widow for three years and regrets the words she said to Jubal on the night of the accident.  It seems everyone in the community is aware of how Jubal and Abigail feel for each other.  Maybe they just need a little help which four boys are happy to provide. 

My Thoughts

Amish Christmas Twins contains three heartwarming Amish Christmas stories with the theme of twins.  I found the tales to be well-written and engaging.  The Christmas Not-Wish by Shelley Shepard Gray is part of The Walnut Creek Series.  Fans of the series will be delighted with charming novella.  We get to see E.A. and Will Kurtz get their dream of children and in a way they never expected.  New Beginning is a touching story.  I could feel the pain that Elizabeth is experiencing.  I enjoyed the descriptions of the Christmas items at the shop as well as the beautiful Nativity sets that Luke carved.  Twins Times Two is a humorous story with two sets of twin boys from twin mothers.  The boys are more mischievous than their mothers ever were (and people thought it was not possible).  I enjoyed the faith messages in each story especially that we must let go and trust God.  I know that it something that I struggle with each day.  Christmas is a time for miracles, and we get to see one in each sweet novella.  The stories in Amish Christmas Twins will get you in the mood for the holiday season.    

Amish Twins Christmas can be obtained from Amazon*.  You can find the other novels in Shelley Shepard Gray's The Walnut Creek Series here.  You can find Shelley Shepard Gray's other novels here.  Rachel J. Good's Amish novels can be located here.  Check out Loree Lough's other stories here.  For more Amish Christmas short stories, you should check out Amish Christmas Miracles.  It contains fourteen stories by authors that include Jennifer Beckstrand, Rachel J. Good, Loree Lough, Kathleen Fuller, Adina Senft, Susan Lantz Simpson, and Laura Bradford.  Thank you for reading my review today.  I will return tomorrow with Twice as Nice Amish Romance Collection by Wanda E. Brunstetter and Jean Brunstetter.  I hope you enjoy the last day of September.  I am off to contemplate a difficult decision I must make.  I am praying for God's guidance on this one.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Murder at the PTA by Lee Hollis

 

Book Summary

Murder at the PTA by Lee Hollis has Sandra Wallage giving her opening address as the new PTA president of the South Portland High School.  She is almost finished when cell phones begin ringing around the auditorium.  It seems that the gossip site Dirty Laundry has targeted Sandra and her senator husband with their latest salacious headline.  Maya Kendrick, private investigator, is hired by her daughter to find out who is behind the site that is causing discord at the high school.  Maya goes to confront the site’s owner and finds her dead in her office along with a confession.  The police rule the death a suicide, but Maya has her doubts.  Maya obtains a client who wishes to learn the truth.  With her partner eight months pregnant, Maya has been handling the business on her own.  Sandra has information she believes can help the case, but no one wants to take her seriously.  She decides to do a little investigating on her own.  It turns out that Sandra has a nose for sniffing out lies and being the wife of a senator, she gets access to people who Maya cannot.  Maya and Sandra end up working together to solve the crime.  Unfortunately, the killer has plans to put the kibosh on their collaboration.  

PTA Meetings

My Thoughts

Murder at the PTA by Lee Hollis is the debut of A Maya and Sandra Mystery series.  This book takes the time to establish the main characters and their families.  We get to know Sandra Wallage, the wife of United States Senator Stephen Wallage.  She has two teenage sons, Jack and Ryan.  Sandra was just elected the PTA president at South Portland High School in Maine.  She is used to being in the spotlight, but it is not something that she enjoys.  Maya Kendrick is a former police officer turned private investigator after her husband was convicted in a corruption scandal.  Maya has a sixteen year old daughter, Vanessa who still believes her father is innocent.  Maya has a PI business with friend, Frances Turner who is currently eight months pregnant.  This leaves Maya carrying the load at the office.  It turns out that Maya and Sandra went to high school together.  The story deals with scandals, teenage drama, money problems, a boy with a drug problem, and a death.  The mystery is not complex.  There are a couple of suspects and good clues.  I found it a cinch to solve this whodunit.  I would have liked a more challenging mystery.  I found the story easy to read, but I wish the pacing had been peppier.  I liked seeing the changes in the two women as the story progressed.  The ending was humorous.  I am curious to see what happens next. Murder at the PTA is a cute cozy with thrilling tittle-tattle, a sexy senator, a pregnant partner, chatting at cooking class, private eye practice, and forming friendships.

Female Private Investigator

Murder at the PTA is available from Amazon* along with other major booksellers.  You can find Lee Hollis' other novels here.  Thank you for reading my review today.  I am off to take my mother for her annual physical.  Wish me luck in getting her to leave the house on time.  She likes to stall in the hopes we can cancel.  No way is that happening.  I will return tomorrow with Amish Christmas Twins by Shelley Shepard Gray, Loree Lough, and Rachel Good. I hope you have a calming day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Candy Slain Murder by Maddie Day

Book Summary

Candy Slain Murder by Maddie Day has Robbie Jordan’s Pans ‘N Pancakes hopping in South Lick, Indiana.  It is December and business has been brisk in the diner and with the items she sells in the store.  Danna Beedle, one of Robbie’s employees, gets a shock when a man comes into the restaurant claiming to be her half brother.  It appears the town’s esteemed mayor has a skeleton in her closet.  And speaking of skeletons, a fire breaks out at Dr. William Geller’s home.  In the attic, fireman find the skeletal remains of a female.  People wonder if it is the wife of Dr. Geller who disappeared over a decade ago.  No one wants answers more than the missing woman’s twin sister, Toni.  Unfortunately for Robbie, Detective Octavia Slade is on the case.  When Toni is found dead in her home, Robbie wonders if the two cases are connected.  Despite being warned against investigating by Octavia, Robbie cannot help but ask a few questions. Robbie needs to be careful or she could end up the town’s guardian angel instead of their favorite chef/sleuth.  

My Thoughts

Candy Slain Murder by Maddie Day is the 8^th A Country Store Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone for those who are new to the series.  I thought Candy Slain Murder was easy to read thanks to the author’s conversational writing style and steady pacing.  The story has developed characters and a charming small-town setting.  There is a cast of quirky characters that add humor to the story.  It is time for the holidays in South Lick, Indiana.  The shops are decked with lights, snow is falling, and it is almost time for the town’s tree lighting ceremony.  Robbie Jordan has been run off her feet at the restaurant which is good for her bottom line. We get to see what it takes to run her small restaurant.  Her interactions with customers and her employees as well as coming up with the daily specials. Robbie decorates her Christmas tree with help from Abe and Sean.  I enjoyed this sweet scene.  The romance between Robbie and Abe is progressing nicely.  Robbie can imagine spending the rest of her life with Abe and his son, Sean.  Danna Beedle is stunned when a man comes into the restaurant and introduces himself as her half-brother.  She is looking forward to getting to know him, but Robbie wonders if the man is on the up and up.   There are two mysteries to solve this time around.  A current one and one from a decade ago.  Robbie questions multiple suspects gathering information that she passes along to Lt. Buck Bird and Detective Octavia Slade.  I would have preferred a more unique solution.  The case wraps up nicely with some suspenseful drama.  The book has a very special ending that fans of the series will love.  There are recipes at the end for those items that had our mouthwatering while reading this heartwarming tale.  Candy Slain Murder is a sweet story with buttery biscuits, a skeletal sibling, handmade hats, a toxic twin, a chilly climate, plus festive fun with family and friends.  

Candy Slain Murder publishes Tuesday, September 29 and it can be pre-ordered from Amazon*.  The other novels in A Country Store Mystery series can be found here.  You can find Maddie Day's other books here.  Nacho Average Murder (Book 7) is currently $1.99 (digital) on Amazon and available through Kindle Unlimited.  Maddie Day is a pseudonym for Edith Maxwell.  You can find her novels here.  Thank you for joining me today.  Tomorrow I am featuring Murder at the PTA by Lee Hollis.  It is the debut of A Maya and Sandra Mystery series.  I hope that you have a happy day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Christmas Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke

 

Book Summary

Christmas Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke has Hannah Swensen busily creating holiday-themed cookies and cupcakes for The Cookie Jar.  She is whipping up German chocolate cupcakes when she hears a knock at the back door.  Hannah finds a homeless man who offers to work in exchange for coffee and a treat.  Hannah, of course, is happy to feed the polite man and asks him to return the next day.  Later that day, Hannah is checking out a storefront with her mother, Delores and Carrie.  They need a place to store and refinish to the number of antiques they both own.  They find the homeless man collapsed inside.  Doc Knight finds him malnourished, suffering from amnesia, and has a hard blow to the back of his head.  It seems someone had tried to harm Joe Smith as he prefer to be called.  He does remember how to refinish furniture.  Hannah needs to piece together the clues so she can reunite Joe with his family for Christmas while keeping The Cookie Jar stocked with sweet treats.  

My Thoughts

Christmas Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke is the 26^th A Hannah Swensen Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series.  Christmas Cupcake Murder takes readers back in time to Hannah’s first holiday season at The Cookie Jar.  She is coming up with new creations each day to offer her customers.  Cooking, baking, eating, chatting, and holiday cheer are in abundance.  Delores, Mike, Carrie, Norman, Andrea, Bill, Doc Knight, and Moishe are all in present along with other regulars.  Christmas Cupcake Murder is easy to read and puts you in the mood for the holiday season.  The mystery portion is light.  Hannah, Carrie, and Delores find a man collapsed in a vacant storefront.  Joe Smith has amnesia and a bad blow to the head.  He can remember bits and pieces which Hannah uses to help her reunite Joe with his family before the holidays.  I do wish the mystery was a bit meatier.  But I did enjoy my visit to Lake Eden.  It is such a cozy town with friendly residents. It is cold, but there is plenty of holiday cheer.  It was nice checking in with our favorite characters and learning more about them.  We get to learn more about Lars Swensen, Hannah’s father as well as how Delores came to open an antique shop.  There is humor sprinkled throughout the story.  Moishe’s antics will have you smiling.  There are over a dozen recipes including one for German Chocolate Cupcakes and Sugar Plum Cupcakes.  Christmas Cupcake Murder is a lighthearted tale with scrummy cupcakes, a curious cat, and a mysterious man with memory matters plus family, friends, fine food, and festive fun.  

Christmas Cupcake Murder is available from Amazon* plus other major retailers.  You can find the other A Hannah Swensen Mystery novels here.  The next A Hannah Swensen Mystery is Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder which publishes on February 23, 2021.  Thank you for reading my latest book review.  I am featuring Candy Slain Murder by Maddie Day next time.  It is the 8th A Country Store Mystery.  I do hope that you have a sweet day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Turning Home by Janice Kay Johnson

 

Book Summary

Turning Home by Janice Kay Johnson has Julia Durant moving to Tompkin’s Mill, Missouri.  Julia needs a fresh start and she likes the cozy feel of Tompkin’s Mill plus her brother, Nick is the police chief.  She gets a job at Bowman & Son’s Handcrafted Furniture working for Eli Bowman and his son, Luke. Luke returned to his Amish upbringing after experiencing the world.  He is attracted to Julia from the beginning and Luke knows that he will have to do his best to avoid temptation.  Julia suffered a terrible trauma a few years ago that still causes her to have flashbacks.  A friendship develops between Luke and Julia that could easily become something more if they were of the same faith.  Then something unexpected happens to Luke that brings Julia closer to him.  They each have a choice to make that will forever change their lives.

My Thoughts

Turning Home by Janice Kay Johnson is the debut of Tompkin’s Mill series.  I found Turning Home to be well-written with complex, realistic characters.  Julia Durant needs a new beginning after a traumatic event.  Her brother, Nick is the chief of police in Tompkin’s Mill, Missouri.  Julia pays Nick a visit and finds herself drawn to the small town where Amish and Englischers coexist.  Julia gets a job at Bowman & Sons Handcrafted Furniture runs by Eli Bowman and his son, Luke.  Julia learns her new job quickly and begins making suggestions that have a big impact on the business.  I loved the descriptions of the beautifully crafted furniture.  Eli and Luke were not carpenters, they are craftsman.  The apartment Julia rented sounded gorgeous with the hard wood floors as well as other historic details in the renovated schoolhouse (I wanted that apartment for myself).  Turning Home is a touching story.   The story moved at just the right pace.  The chemistry was present between Luke and Julia, but it was mild which suited this story.  It was wonderful the way the Bowman family embraced Julia.  I liked seeing Julia expand her horizons.  I liked seeing her change as the book progressed.   I enjoyed how this tale played out.  Turning Home is the first novel that I have read by Janice Kay Johnson, and it will not be my last. 

Turning Home publishes on September 29 and is available from Amazon*.  You can find Janice Kay Johnson's other novels here.  Thank you for stopping by today and reading my review.  On Sunday, September 27 I am sharing Christmas Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke.  It is the 26th A Hannah Swensen Mystery. I wanted to let you know that Witching for Joy by Deanna Chase is now out.  It is the 3rd novel in the Premonition Pointe series.  I hope that you have an agreeable day.  Take care of yourself, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Murder in Devil's Cove by Melissa Bourbon: Review & Giveaway!

 

Murder in Devil's Cove

A Book Magic Mystery

 by Melissa Bourbon

 

About Murder In Devil's Cove

 

Murder in Devil's Cove: (A Book Magic Mystery) 

 

Two best-selling authors, one magical universe.

In the Book Magic Mystery Series, best-selling authors Melissa Bourbon and Wendy Lyn Watson bring you the story of cousins Pippin Lane Hawthorne and Cora Lane. The cousins live on opposite coasts (Pippin in Devil’s Cove, North Carolina, and Cora in Laurel Point, Oregon), but they share the family gift of bibliomancy: the ability to foresee the future and unravel the past with the help of the books we love. Join Pippin and Cora as they use their otherworldly power to solve mysteries in their respective worlds. 

Every book tells two stories—one written on the pages with pen and ink, and one woven into the paper, a story of the soul. The Lane women have the gift of bibliomancy. They can read both.

But Cassie Lane doesn’t see this as a gift. For her, it is a curse because the book magic comes with a price--the Lane women die young and the men are lost to the sea. As soon as she’s able, she leaves Laurel Point, Oregon, running from her past and her fate, ending up in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. There she meets Leo Hawthorne and lives a perfect life with him in an old Sea Captain’s house.

Perfect, that is, until an old book foretells the future, and the curse that has plagued the Lane women comes true for Cassie.

Twenty years later, Cassie and Leo's children, twins Pippin and Grey, are back in Devil's Cove. Long forgotten secrets surface and an old crime comes to light. Now Pippin must learn how to be a bibliomancer if she is to discover the truth about her father and continue his effort to stop the curse.

About Melissa Bourbon

Melissa Bourbon is the national bestselling author of nineteen mystery books, including the brand new collaborative Book Magic mysteries, the Lola Cruz Mysteries, A Magical Dressmaking Mystery series, and the Bread Shop Mysteries, written as Winnie Archer. She is a former middle school English teacher who gave up the classroom in order to live in her imagination full time. Melissa, a California native who has lived in Texas and Colorado, now calls the southeast home. She hikes, practices yoga, cooks, and is slowly but surely discovering all the great restaurants in the Carolinas. Since four of her five amazing kids are living their lives, scattered throughout the country, her dogs, Bean, the pug, Dobby, the chug, and Jasper, a cattle dog/lab keep her company while she writes. Melissa lives in North Carolina with her educator husband, Carlos, and their youngest son. She is beyond fortunate to be living the life of her dreams.

Author Links

Author Links Website - https://melissabourbon.com/ 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/melissabourbonbooks/ 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BookWarriors 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MelissaBourbonWinnieArcherBooks 

My Thoughts

Murder in Devil’s Cove by Melissa Bourbon takes us to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  Pippin and Grey Hawthorne have returned to Devil’s Cove, North Carolina.  They discovered that after their grandmother’s death that they are the owners of the home they lived in as children.  The twins decide to keep the home and begin renovations to turn it into a bed and breakfast.  When they explore their father’s boat, they find a skeleton.  It turns out that their father did not walk away from them twenty years ago.  Pippin wants to know what happened to Leo Hawthorne and begins her own investigation.  Pippin soon discovers that she is special powers.  It turns out that she is a bibliomancer.  She makes new friends who help her with her newfound powers which will allow her to unravel the mystery surrounding her father’s death.  Then a local man is killed, and Pippin is positive it relates to her father’s murder.  Pippin needs to be careful or she could end up the next victim.

Murder in Devil’s Cove by Melissa Bourbon is the debut of A Magic Book Mystery series.  I thought the story was well-written and absorbing.  I liked the characters, especially the elder Mr. McAdams.  The author took the time to establish the main characters and well as the town.  I enjoyed the descriptions of Devil’s Cove and the house the twins inherited. It was fun following Pippin as she explored the town and made friends.  The mysteries were fascinating.  Two murders that occur two decades apart.  The second half of the book had me quickly flipping the pages of my ereader.   The suspense increased as we got closer to the end and the identity of the killer.  I could not wait to see if I had guessed correctly (I love solving whodunits).  The paranormal aspect was interesting.  Pippin discovers her special ability and must figure out how to use it.  Magic and books are a wonderful combination (bibliomancy).  I look forward to learning more about the families magic and the lore.  I thought the author beautifully intertwined magic and mystery.  The one thing I did not enjoy was the foul language.   Murder in Devil’s Cove is an intriguing tale with forbidden books, a departed dad, family folklore, mysterious magic, renovation revelations, and one bewildered bibliomancer.  

Murder in Devil's Cove is available from Amazon*.  It is available through Kindle Unlimited.  You can read the first chapter by clicking here.  The next novel in A Magic Book Mystery series is Death at Cape Misery which publishes on December 1.  Murder at the Sea Captain's Inn is the 3rd installment and it will release July 20, 2021.  As part of the tour, the author is giving away two (2) $10 Amazon Gift Cards!  You can enter by clicking here or use the Rafflecopter form below.  Good Luck!  I appreciate you joining me today.  I will return tomorrow with Turning Home by Janice Kay Johnson.  It is the first A Tompkin's Mill Novel.  I hope you have an enchanting day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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Tour Participants

September 21 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW 

September 22 – I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE 

September 23 – Literary Gold – CHARACTER GUEST POST

September 24 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT 

September 24 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – SPOTLIGHT 

September 24 – Ruff Drafts – GUEST POST 

September 25 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW 

September 26 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

September 27 – Author Elena Taylor's Blog – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW 

September 28 – Christy's Cozy Corners – GUEST POST 

September 29 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT 

September 30 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT 

September 30 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT 

October 1 – I Read What You Write – SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE 

October 1 – eBook Addicts – REVIEW 

October 2 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST 

October 3 – Brooke Blogs – REVIEW 

October 4 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT 

October 4 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST

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Secrets of the Railway Girls by Maisie Thomas

 

Book Summary

Secrets of the Railway Girls by Maisie Thomas takes readers back to November of 1940 where a group of women have volunteered to work for The LMS Railway (The London, Midland, and Scottish Railway).  Dot Green loves her family, but she also enjoys her job transporting parcels. Her husband, Reg has volunteered as an ARP Warden which is a nice change from him sitting at the kitchen table all day.  Dot gets to know one of the men she works with and they become friends.  She needs to be careful to keep the individual in the friendship zone or Dot could derail her home life.  Dot purchases a tin of corned beef that leads the group into a covert investigation.  Joan is happy dating Bob Hubble and enjoys spending time with his large, gregarious family.  It is the type of family she wishes that she had growing up.  Then Joan loses someone close to her.  She grows intimate with someone while grieving.  When Bob leans the truth, Joan will need to make a choice.  Mabel Bradshaw is finally moving on from the death of her best friend for which she blames herself.  She lets down the walls surrounding her heart and begins dating Harry Knatchbull, an RAF pilot.  But then she overhears two women talking and it changes her perception.  She wonders if Harry truly loves her.  The bombings are devastating the town.  Homes and lives are lost.  The ladies will need each other more than ever if they are to endure the war. 

My Thoughts

Secrets of the Railway Girls by Maisie Thomas is the 2^nd tale in The Railway Girls series.  It can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading the books in order.  I enjoyed reading this gently paced historical novel.  I thought Secrets of the Railway Girls was well-written with friendly, relatable characters.  Dot, Joan, and Mabel are the focus of this installment.  Dot Green is the mother figure of the group.  She is such a hardworking, caring woman.  Dot has a big heart.  Joan was raised by her strict Gran who favors Joan’s sister over her.  Mabel Bradshaw was devastated when her best friend died in a motor accident with her at the wheel.  She left her home and came to volunteer for the war effort.  Dot, Joan, Mabel, Cordelia, Alison, and Persephone all work for the railroad in various positions.  They have stuck together and are there for each other.  I like how they help each other through the difficult times and how close they have become.  The war is escalating with new rules enacted each day.  Rationing has begun which causes ques at the shops.  Getting needed supplies is a challenge and cooks need to be creative.  I thought the author captured time and place beautifully.  The ladies face a variety of problems such as grief, heartache, and attitudes from men at work.  The bombings are escalating.  Lives and homes are lost.  The ladies are all trained in first aid and are out during the bombings helping the injured.  There is more drama in Secrets of the Railway Girls.  The author really brought her characters to life.  I felt I was experiencing the bombings and other events with them.  I enjoyed the mystery of who is stealing from the food bank.  I like how they worked to catch the culprit.  Secrets of the Railway Girls is charming historical novel that left me eager for the next installment.  

Secrets of the Railway Girls is available from Amazon* as well as The Railway Girls (which began the series).  For more information on the women on the LMS Railway during World War II, check out this video.  Thank you for stopping by today and reading my review.  Tomorrow I am a stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for Murder in Devil's Cove by Melissa Bourbon.  It is the first book in A Book Magic Mystery series.  It is available through Kindle Unlimited.  I hope that you have a merry day.  Take care, be king, and Happy Reading! 

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

15 Minutes of Flame by Christin Brecher: Review & Giveaway!

15 Minutes of Flame 

A Nantucket Candle Maker Mystery 

by Christin Brecher

About 15 Minutes of Flame

 

  15 Minutes of Flame (Nantucket Candle Maker Mystery) 

  Cozy Mystery 

  3rd in Series 

  Publisher: Kensington (August 25, 2020) 

  Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages 

  ISBN-10: 1496721438 ISBN-13: 978-1496721433 

  Digital ASIN: B082WR2LH6 

 

As Stella Wright’s Nantucket candle store thrives, her knack for solving mysteries burns equally bright—especially when a Halloween haunted house uncovers evidence of a centuries-old murder . . .

   When Stella’s friend inherits a creaky, abandoned home in Nantucket, she knows it’s the perfect setting for the town’s annual Halloween fundraiser. A deserted, boarded-up building on the property—once used as a candle-making shop—adds to the creepy ambiance. But as Stella explores the shack’s dilapidated walls, she discovers a terrible secret: the skeleton of a Quaker woman, wrapped in blood-soaked clothing and hidden deep within a stone hearth . . .

While police investigate, Stella wastes no time asking for help from friends with long ties to Nantucket’s intricate history. The key to the murder may lie within a scorching 18th century love triangle that pit two best friends against one another over a dubious man. But before the case is solved, another life will be claimed—leaving Stella to wonder who in Nantucket is friend, and who is foe . . .

About Christin Brecher

Christin Brecher was born and raised in NYC, where her family and many childhood friends still reside. As such, she feels she is as much of a small-town girl as any. The idea to write the Nantucket Candle Maker series sprang from her life-long connection to the small island off the coast of Massachusetts. Spending summers there as a child, Christin read from her family’s library of mystery novels, after which she began to imagine stories inspired by the island’s whaling heyday, its notoriously foggy nights, and during long bike rides to the beach. After many years in marketing for the publishing industry, followed by years raising her children, Murder’s No Votive Confidence is Christin’s debut novel. Visit her at www.christinbrecher.com.

Author Links

Website – http://christinbrecher.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/christinbrecherbooks/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/christinbrecherbooks/

GoodReads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18483379.Christin_Brecher

BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/profile/christi

My Thoughts

15 Minutes of Flame by Christin Brecher has Stella Wright helping the local Girl Scout troop with their Halloween Haunts fundraiser which will be held at Morton house.  Stella goes into what the girls dubbed The Shack to find a “Cooper’s Candles” sign.  When Stella removes the sign, she finds a carved-out space behind it with a skeleton dressed in a Quaker clothing.  She quickly calls Officer Andy Southerland.  Anthropologist Dr. Robert Solder and his assistant, Leah Paik from Boston University soon arrive to examine the remains.  The skeleton ties to an old scandal and another skeleton at the bottom of a well.  Exploration of the site leads to a modern murder.  Stella works to solve both crimes with the aid of her friends. 

15 Minutes of Flame is the 3^rd novel in A Nantucket Candle Maker Mystery series.  It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series. Christin Brecher upped her game with 15 Minutes of Flame.  Stella Wright owns Wick & Flame on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts.  It is interesting learning about unique candles and how to make them in each book.  This time Stella teaches the Candleers how to make clock candles.  I enjoyed the word imagery describing Nantucket Island especially the Morton house.  I can understand why Stella loves the beautiful old home.  Stella is a likeable and relatable protagonist.  She is a clever, friendly, kind, and brave.  Stella stands up for herself and her friends.  She is quick to notice details and discern clues.  Stella also has a knack for getting people to talk which is helpful in her investigations.  There are a variety of quirky characters including Old Holly, Agnes, Jameson Bellows, and Brenda Worthington.  The mystery was fascinating.  I like how the modern mystery weaves effortlessly with the historical one.  There were a variety of suspicious suspects.  There are some great twists as well.  It was fun following Stella as she worked to solve the two whodunits.  Who does not love a mystery that involves a treasure map?  There was a good wrap up of both mysteries with the exception of one little detail (I cannot say because it would be a spoiler).  The ending was satisfying and just what I had hoped would happen.  15 Minutes of Flame is my favorite book so far in this series.  I am eager for Stella’s next adventure.  15 Minutes of Flame is a delightful whodunit with clock candles, scary skeletons, a tumbling tree, a missing map, creepy cobwebs, and a curious candlemaker.   

15 Minutes of Flame is available from Amazon, B&N, Kobo, Google Play, and IndieBound.  The other two novels in A Nantucket Candle Maker Mystery series are Murder No Votive Confidence (ebook currently $1.99 on Amazon) and Murder Makes Scents.  As part of the tour, the author is giving away five (5) ARC copies of 15 Minutes of Flame (sorry, but U.S. residents only).  You can enter by clicking here or use the Rafflecopter form below.  Do not forget to leave a comment for an extra entry.  Good Luck!  The graphics I used today are of clock candles which Stella teaches a class to make in 15 Minutes of Flame.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I must say that I am not a fan of the new Blogger interface.  It is not as user friendly as the previous version.  It is not as easy to insert pictures or HTML. If there are any errors, I apologize. I will be back tomorrow with Secrets of the Railway Girls by Maisie Thomas.  It is the 2nd book in The Railway Girls series.  I hope you have a happy day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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Tour Participants

September 15 – Socrates Book Reviews - SPOTLIGHT 

September 15 – I Read What You Write – SPOTLIGHT 

September 15 – Readeropolis - SPOTLIGHT 

September 16 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE

September 16 – The Book Decoder – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW 

September 17 – Mysteries with Character – GUEST POST 

September 17 – Reading Authors Network – SPOTLIGHT 

September 17 – I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHT 

September 18 – Book Club Librarian – REVIEW 

September 18 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT 

September 18 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT 

September 19 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT 

September 19 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW 

September 19 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – GUEST POST 

September 20 – Literary Gold – CHARACTER GUEST POST 

September 20 – Christy's Cozy Corners – REVIEW 

September 20 – Hearts & Scribbles - SPOTLIGHT 

September 21 – eBook addicts – REVIEW 

September 21 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW 

September 21 – Baroness' Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT 

September 22 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW 

September 22 – A Wytch's Book Review Blog – REVIEW 

September 22 - Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT 

September 23 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW 

September 23 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 

September 23 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

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