THE ROBBER AND THE SPY by Danielle Grandinetti, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

A 1930s Christmas Historical Romantic Mystery (Christmas Cabin Historical Romance Novellas Book 4)

PAULA'S REVIEW:
With her brother Evan on his way to New York, Evangeline is traveling to Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin with their childhood friend Deputy Gideon Lundgren for the Christmas Holidays. But a robbery and snow blocking the train tracks, makes for an interesting journey.

This story had me shivering at the descriptions of the snowbound train and the icy trek to the next station while the snow blew in earnest. Gideon took responsibility to see Eva safely to her destination, try to discover who the robber was, and herd train passengers to a warm, dry place. 

I appreciate the attention to detail and the atmosphere depicted in the story. Themes of trust, being guided by God, forgiveness, and justice were aptly shown. With a dose of danger and a sweet romance, this was an engaging, wintery story.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.* 4.5 stars and a solid faith thread.

BackCover Blurb:
Christmas … a time of reunions and unexpected surprises.

A simple favor, a best friend's promise, and the end of the line.

Wisconsin, 1931—When Gideon Lundgren agrees to escort his best friend's sister to Manitowish Waters, plans go awry when she witnesses a robbery. He thinks he's merely escorting the girl he once knew, but she's grown into a charming beauty.

Evangeline Whitaker's older brother always warned that her kind heart would be the death of her. It might at that. First, when she's an unwitting accomplice to a robber. Second, when her childhood crush becomes her bodyguard.

With a robber on their trail and a tangle of emotions between them, Evangeline and Gideon detour to his boss's cabin to wait out the ensuing manhunt. However, Evangeline's Christmas spirit might be the death of them both.

One cabin in the Northwoods … a decade of Christmas miracles.


A 1930s Historical Romantic Mystery

This page-turning novella offers a slow-burn romance mixed with cozy suspense. Set during a December 1931 manhunt, it unfolds against the backdrop of a secluded Wisconsin cabin. Perfect for fans of Laura Frantz and Rhys Bowen looking for an inspirational read.
The Robber and the Witness Tropes

Best Friend’s Sibling
Bodyguard/Protector
Forced Proximity
Grumpy/Sunshine
Holiday Romance

Christmas … a time of reunions and unexpected surprises.

 

Buy THE ROBBER AND THE SPY in digital ebook at Amazon 

 

THE GIRL FROM THE PAPERS by Jennifer L. Wright, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"It's only a matter of time. You have to be careful. 'Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm'. . . Proverbs 13:20"

Beatrice Carraway is living her life on the bottom rung of the ladder, or so it seems; money is tight, jobs are scarce, and sometimes a pretty face never makes it on to the stage. Enter Jack Turner. Handsome, reckless, passionate, and head-over-heels for Beatrice Carraway. It seems that Jack wants the same more-out-of-life as Bea, but Jack goes about getting what he wants in an entirely different way . . . Jack is brazen enough to take it.

In the beginning, the risks were calculated, thrilling, and exhilarating, but soon the stakes grew higher as were the chances of getting caught . . . and as their escapades make local and regional news, Bea begins to wonder if being "the girl from the papers" is all that she will ever be.

"You are more than what people call you. The names they give us, those things they say about us . . . they don't define us . . . They're not who we are. The only one who can ever truly define us is the One who made us."

An absolute stunner of a story! Brokenness, bitterness, helplessness all coincide to present a raw, stinging, and painful reminder that any and all attempts to grab happiness and fulfillment on our own only serve to conjure up a figment of our imagination that begs to be transformed into reality through the unconditional, forever love of a Savior. "I love you, Jack . . . but . . . Someone loves me more."
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

 BackCover Blurb:
Inspired by one of America’s most notorious couples, Bonnie and Clyde, Jennifer L. Wright delivers a riveting tale set during the public enemy era of the Great Depression.

Beatrice Carraway has dreams. Although she’s aged out of the childhood pageant circuit, she’s intent on carrying her talents all the way to the big screen—if only she can escape the poverty of West Dallas first. But as the Great Depression drags the working class further and further under, Beatrice struggles just to keep herself, her mother, and her younger sister afloat. After a string of failed auditions, she feels defeated.

And then in walks Jack Turner. Though Beatrice is determined to pull herself up by her bootstraps, Jack has decided on a different path out of the gutters. It isn’t long before Beatrice is swept into an exciting and glamorous life of crime beside the man she loves. Keeping one step ahead of the law, she sees her dreams of fame come true when her name and picture are plastered in newspapers across the country. Yet as their infamy grows, the distance between them widens. While Jack begins seeking bigger payouts and publicity, Beatrice starts to long for a safe, quiet life and something deeper to fill the emptiness in her soul. But when the danger of Jack’s schemes ratchets up, Beatrice fears her dreams—and her future—will end up going down in a hail of bullets. 

 

Tyndale House, August, 2023

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook

Buy THE GIRL FROM THE PAPERS at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

Murder on the Moor is Now Available - GIVEAWAY

I'm thrilled to announce that, after what felt like years of waiting, Book Five in the Drew Farthering Mystery series, Murder on the Moor, is now available.

Here's the story:

    At the urgent request of Drew's old school friend, Hubert "Beaky" Bloodworth, Drew and Madeline Farthering come to Bloodworth Park Lodge in the midst of the Yorkshire moors, a place as moody and mysterious as a Brontë hero. According to Beaky, there have been several incidents of mischief making out on the moor, property destroyed, fires started, streams dammed up, sheep and cattle scattered and, if local gossip is to be believed, the sighting of the shadowy figure of a great black hound. Worst of all, the vicar has been found dead on the steps of the church, and no one can imagine who would want to kill him.
    Beaky is obviously smitten with his wife of eight months, the gorgeous and vivacious Sabrina Bloodworth, though it's hard to imagine what she sees in a man as awkward and plain as he. Drew can't help wondering if Sabrina's affections lie more with Beaky's money than himself and, just perhaps, with the fiery Welsh gamekeeper, Rhys Delwyn. Delwyn says poachers are to blame for the recent trouble, Sabrina claims the moor is haunted, and Beaky suspects that Carter Gray, a neighboring landowner with a longstanding grudge against the Bloodworths, is behind the episodes. But when someone else is murdered and the troubling incidents grow more threatening, Drew begins to suspect local ne'er-do-well Jack Midgley of more than poaching. But just how does Midgley fit into the scheme and who is paying him? It's up to Drew to look past his own prejudices, determine what is really going on, and find the killer before it's too late.


I had such fun writing this one. And, being the Anglophile that I am, I very much enjoyed researching the Yorkshire moors and some of the legends that are told even today. The tales of a huge spectral hound haunting the moors did not originate with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Hound of the Baskervilles but are far older and more deeply attached to the lonely moors and English legend.

I'm also very excited to say that I've seen the cover for Drew's sixth adventure, Death at Thorburn Hall, and it will be revealed exclusively in my next newsletter. Now's a great time to become a member of Drew's crew. You can sign up at http://www.juliannadeering.com

Here's a little glimpse:

 


 Death at Thorburn Hall is coming this fall from Bethany House.

Murder on the Moor is now available from these fine retailers or a bookstore near you:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Moor-Drew-Farthering-Mystery-ebook/dp/B01M7OXYPE

Barnes & Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/murder-on-the-moor-julianna-deering/1123923501?ean=9780764218286

Christian Book: https://www.christianbook.com/murder-on-the-moor-5/julianna-deering/9780764218286/pd/218286?event=PR

Books-A-Million:  http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Murder-Moor/Julianna-Deering/9780764218286?id=6807173787270#overv

For a chance to win a copy of Murder on the Moor, answer at least one of the following questions in the comments:

What makes a good mystery great?

What is your favorite cozy mystery?

What would you like to see in Drew's next adventure?

GIVEAWAY IS LIMITED TO U.S. MAILING ADDRESSES ONLY AND VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO LEAVE CONTACT INFORMATION IF YOU WANT TO BE INCLUDED IN THE DRAWING.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. WINNER TO BE ANNOUNCED. THANKS FOR ENTERING! 

Dressed for Death--the latest Drew Farthering Mystery!

RELEASE PARTY AND GIVEAWAY!

Woburn Abbey, the model for Winteroak House, the setting of Dressed for Death 

A Regency-Era Costume Party Should Have Been an Amusing Diversion, But it Seems Wherever Drew Farthering Goes, Mystery--and Murder--Are on the Guest List

Drew and Madeline Farthering arrive at a Regency-era house party at Winteroak House, excited to be reunited with old friends, including Drew's former Oxford classmate Talbot Cummins. Tal is there with his fiancée, Alice Henley, and though many present seem worried about the couple, nobody is prepared when Alice dies from an apparent overdose. Tal refuses to believe she'd taken the drugs intentionally, and a dark question arises of whether the death is an accident or murder.

The police have their own information though, and Drew is shocked when they arrest someone he's trusted and admired since his childhood--someone who's been smuggling drugs into the country for years. Stunned by what has happened, Tal begs Drew to get to the bottom of everything, but Drew has never felt more unsettled. Questioning his own ability to see people as they really are, Drew doesn't know whom to trust, and he's not ready for the secrets he's about to uncover--or the danger he'll bring down on everyone he holds dear.


"Christie fans now have Julianna Deering to add to their must-read list. Deering keeps readers on their toes guessing who-done-it in this well-plotted mystery."--RT Book Reviews

CONGRATULATIONS
JULIANNA!

The first three books in the series! Rules of Murder, Death by the Book, Murder at the Mikado

Gina, Susie, Julianna and Lisa gather today to celebrate the March 1st release of the 
fourth Drew Farthering novel!

Here they come now!

While we usually see Drew and Madeline dressed like this...

  

...we now have to imagine them dressed for a Regency house party. A lovely task it is!

The gown Madeline wears to the grand ball.

Please allow the footman to take your wrap, and join us in the drawing room (or the draring room), But... what's this? It seems our favorite couple can't go anywhere without a body showing up. Of course you won't be able to leave the house until the Detective Inspector has questioned you. At least the food is good!

If you recognized these treats, you're very perceptive (We're using the same baker as we have in the past!) We could use you to help solve this mystery! 

Might as well get comfy, like our friend Richard here... We're going to be here awhile.

Now, if you can keep your focus... Julianna is giving away a copy of Dressed for Death to one commenter (U.S. only please).  Let us know in the comment you want to be entered and answer this question:  A day at a Regency house party or a day at a 1930s house party. (Same house, different centuries)  What's your preference!  Let us know! Leave your email address in the safe from trolls:  such as Handsome (at) wow dot com

DRAWING DEADLINE is  MARCH 5, 2016

"I don't always dress up for Julianna's parties, but when I do,
I bring Rocky Road ice cream too.  I'm afraid I'm quite serious, yet I sense doubt."

Here's more on Julianna Deering:

she also writes as DeAnna Julie Dodson.

Julianna Deering on Facebook 

Julianna Deering Amazon Author site

Julianna Deerings Website

blogging... here on Inkwell Inspirations!

Dressed for Death bookmark. Free to readers for SASE to Julianna Deering, P. O. Box 375, Aubrey, Texas  76227

Dressed for Death notepad. Free to readers
(with bookmark and autographed bookplate) for SASE with 71 cents postage.