THE DREAMS WE KNEW by Rachel Scott McDaniel, Reviewed by Kim and Rebecca #NewRelease

A NOVEL OF THE ROARING TWENTIES

KIM'S REVIEW:
I always know when I start a Rachel McDaniel story that’s it’s going to be a great read with great characters, and an imaginative storyline that will keep me glued to the pages. Delvina’s story is no different!

I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but I will say that Kent and Delvina’s love story actually starts four years prior to the beginning of the story. I loved learning about their past through the flashbacks. I was dying to know why certain things happened like they did and I loved when they finally solved all of their issues! I really loved the mystery in this story and how it all came together in the end. I was trying to figure it out the entire time and let me tell you, I was never even close! I also love how Ms. McDaniel always takes little known historical events and adds them to her stories. I always learn something new and I always research things further.

If you haven’t read Rachel McDaniel, you really need to rectify this fast! She never disappoints!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. The faith thread is light. 5 stars. 

REBECCA'S REVIEW:

 "Secrets billowed between us like enormous flames, threatening to consume us. But as with all fires, there were also sparks."

 

Reunited while scaling the walls of an old warehouse, having ferreted out the same intel about a judge's missing daughter, private investigators Delvina Salvastano Kline and Kent Brisbane come face to face with success, along with vestiges of their failed past. Reluctantly acknowledging that the jagged edges of their relationship deserve closure, the two sleuths put off that discussion long enough to dip their toes into the murky shadows lurking behind New York's glamour and glitz to rummage out who had a motive for murdering a prominent young fashion model. What they discover? Secrets are worth killing for, and love is always worth fighting for.

Absolutely enchanting! Exotic and dangerous! Faith threads emerging exactly on cue! Overflowing with romance, for romance is the story . . . in ways that readers will find impossible to comprehend . . . until the very end.
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 4.5 stars 

 

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

 

BackCover Blurb:
Can two opposites come together to solve the murder of a rising star?

In the glitz and glam of New York City's elite circles, Delvina Salvastano Kline walks a delicate line between her privileged upbringing and her murky past. Adopted into wealth and opulence, she contends with the legacy of her birth father, a notorious crime boss. In an act of defiance, Delvina sheds the smothering label of "society's misfit" by carving her own path as a private investigator.

When a promising young fashion model is found dead, Delvina is hired to unmask the killer lurking behind the city's shimmering facade. She reluctantly teams up with detective Kent Brisbane, the man she once loved, who knows a secret that could shatter her carefully crafted persona. As they plunge deep into the shadows of New York's underbelly, they discover the stakes are higher than they'd thought. Amidst glittering parties and whispered secrets, the duo races against time to uncover the truth.

Rachel Scott McDaniel delivers a riveting blend of mystery and second-chance romance with gentle undertones of faith in this Roaring Twenties novel. 

 

Kregel Publishing, February, 2025

Available in digital ebook, and paperback

Buy THE DREAMS WE KNEW at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

WALKING ON HIDDEN WINGS by Rachel Scott McDaniel, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

 

A Novel of the Roaring Twenties

"Love gives, not takes. It never forces another person to sacrifice but sacrifices itself for the other person."

Geneva Ashcroft had experienced very little true love in her life as the daughter of a New York elite, even her practically arranged marriage to a prominent newspaper titan was a calculated effort by her father to control publicity surrounding his upcoming senate campaign. Imagine her surprise when she actually liked Warren Hayes in all the little ways that had the potential to make her upcoming nuptials at least tolerable, hence making her grief nearly unbearable when Warren perished in a private plane crash just months after their wedding. The only thing Geneva has left are cryptic notes from her husband's private investigator, prompting Geneva to "take to the skies" as Stella Starling, the wing-walking barnstormer, following a path from small town to small town, never imagining what she would discover . . . or what it would mean.

An extraordinary story because? . . . all the necessary components . . . fascinating historical backdrop, flawless word flow, magnetic romanticism, a menagerie of secondary characters whose underlying motives were hidden in plain sight, cleverly constructed formatting . . . in fact, it was the brilliant use of "now and then" merging seamlessly into "now" that tipped the scales in the direction of a five star read . . . an outstanding book deserving of abundant attention.
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 4.5 stars

SEE REVIEWS BY KIM and PAULA, and WINNIE

Back Cover Blurb:
Geneva Ashcroft Hayes's marriage to a newspaper mogul might have been arranged, but the New York socialite is devastated when her husband's plane crashes a few short months after their nuptials. When the authorities suspect murder, Geneva sets out on a wild mission to find his killer--and to prove it wasn't her!

When mysterious notes surface pointing to Geneva's guilt in his death, they only strengthen her resolve. She has little to go on except for a detective friend's cryptic list of locations connected to her dead spouse. When the friend also disappears, she trades her sparkling gowns for coveralls and pilot goggles.

Armed with a new name and career as a wingwalker and barnstormer, she travels from town to town in hopes of unearthing clues and locating her missing friend. But Geneva discovers that her past may not belong to her . . . what she once believed as truth may be nothing more than lies and deception.

Kregel Publications, April, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy WALKING ON HIDDEN WINGS at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

 

WALKING ON HIDDEN WINGS by Rachel Scott McDaniel, Reviewed by Kim and Paula #ReleaseDay

 A NOVEL OF THE ROARING TWENTIES

KIM'S REVIEW:
WOW!!! All the stars for Walking on Hidden Wings by Rachel Scott McDaniel! This story has it all! Swoon worthy male character? Check. Amazing female character? Check. Romance? Check. Great banter? Check. Intriguing mystery? Check. In fact, if I were forced to choose, I would say that Walking on Hidden Wings is my favorite story by Ms. McDaniel and that is saying something! I have loved all of her other stories. They are all on my keeper shelf and I highly recommend them to everyone!

I loved Geneva! She is strong, smart, and loyal! I loved her the second she appeared on the page! Rachel McDaniel writes the absolute best female characters. They are strong, yet likable, which is very rare and takes such talent to pull off. And now, let’s talk about Warren, sigh, he is absolutely swoon worthy and I loved everything about him! He too was loyal and he didn’t compromise his principles for anyone. He was just perfect for Geneva! And did I mention swoon worthy? Romantic? Kind? Perfect? Can you tell he’s a new favorite of mine? The mystery in this story was perfection. It was very intriguing and kept me guessing and accusing everyone, with good reason, until the very end.

This is a story you do not want to miss! Rachel Scott McDaniel is one of the best storytellers out there! I cannot wait to read whatever she writes next!
*I purchased this book. All opinions are my own. The faith thread is light. 5 amazing stars.

PAULA'S REVIEW:
“Oh that invitation to adventure. There was not a cell in my being that was immune to it.” Adventure turns to danger when Geneva Hayes is accused of murdering her husband.

In 1922, Geneva feels confined by her posh lifestyle so she finds adventure in wing-walking and flying a Curtis Jenny airplane. Yes Geneva finds adventure- more than she bargained for.

There is so much to love in this book: heartache and hope, mystery and peril, and the romance of married life. The author puts it all together beautifully and gives us spiritual lessons as well. There is soul searching, learning to trust and acting out forgiveness. And there are so many possible suspects that you are constantly kept guessing. One thing remained: God’s love and provision.

Warren was a great example of compassion and steadfastness. I love Geneva and Warren as a couple. Even when they had doubts, they were there for each other.

Ms. McDaniel is on her A game with this intriguing, thrilling, romantic tale. This novel has it all and will be on my keeper shelf.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kregel via NetGalley. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a solid faith thread

 Back Cover Blurb:
Geneva Ashcroft Hayes's marriage to a newspaper mogul might have been arranged, but the New York socialite is devastated when her husband's plane crashes a few short months after their nuptials. When the authorities suspect murder, Geneva sets out on a wild mission to find his killer--and to prove it wasn't her!

When mysterious notes surface pointing to Geneva's guilt in his death, they only strengthen her resolve. She has little to go on except for a detective friend's cryptic list of locations connected to her dead spouse. When the friend also disappears, she trades her sparkling gowns for coveralls and pilot goggles.

Armed with a new name and career as a wingwalker and barnstormer, she travels from town to town in hopes of unearthing clues and locating her missing friend. But Geneva discovers that her past may not belong to her . . . what she once believed as truth may be nothing more than lies and deception.

Kregel Publications, April, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy WALKING ON HIDDEN WINGS at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

THE LAST GASP- Ever After Mysteries Book One - by Chautona Havig, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

Come back to the Roaring Twenties when Hollywood had yet to go to Talkies!

Lucinda went to California with stars in her eyes but had to settle for being a cigarette girl at a theater famous for showcasing premieres.

Gary Prinz, aka Garrison Prince has decided to forgo his status as a leading man to pursue Bible School and a simpler life. Some people are not happy with this decision and things go very wrong at the premiere of his final film before becoming an ordinary Joe.

With the vernacular of an iconic era, this story is full of suspense, mystery and danger and a little romance. Gary and Cinda are looking to please God even as they try to find a killer among the theater goers.

A great side character is the orphan on the streets, Herbie, and what he comes to mean to Cinda and Gary, as well as playing a vital part in the outcome of the mystery.

Great fun and a great start to the Ever After Mysteries series. I won this, received it on release day and read it on that day!

*I won this ebook from Celebrate Lit in a contest. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.* I give this 5 stars and a solid faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
At the pinnacle of his Hollywood career, Garrison Prince’s reign ends tonight.

As plain old Gary Prinz, he can pursue his Bible education, buy a bungalow in Pasadena, acquire a few chickens, and marry the girl of his dreams. He just never imagined trading the silver screen for a pulpit would wreak such havoc.

A cigarillo girl, Lucinda Ashton spends her days with her boyfriend, Gary, and her evenings selling candy and “gaspers” to the Hollywood elite at the Taj Mahal Theater.

However, when gunshots ring out just as intermission begins, Lucinda finds herself smack-dab in the middle of a brouhaha that leaves three dead, and no one has a clue why.

All the police know is that the evidence points to Lucinda as the killer and Gary as the intended target.

Four new friends, one young orphan, and a potluck of clues that don’t seem to fit anywhere leave the police baffled, Lucinda in fear for her freedom, and Gary ready to trade in his acting shoes for gumshoes if it’ll save his “Cinda.”The first book in the Ever After Mysteries combining beloved fairy tales and mysteries, The Last Gasp. This Cinderella retelling blends a murder with enough crime and story clues to keep you on the edge of your seat.

 

Celebrate Lit Publishing July 2021

Available in digital ebook and paperback:

Buy The Last Gasp at Amazon