"Rules of Murder," by Julianna Deering

"Rules of Murder," by Julianna Deering

Introducing Drew Farthering
From The Tip of his black Homburg to the crease in his stylish cheviot trousers, he's the epitome of a stylish 1930s English gentleman. His only problem? The body he just discovered.

Drew Farthering loves a good mystery, although he generally expects to find it in the pages of a novel, not on the grounds of his country estate.

With the help of beautiful and whip-smart Madeline Parker, a guest from America, Drew proposes to use the lessons he's learned reading his mysteries to solve the crime. Before long, he realizes this is no lark, and no one at Farthering Place is who he or she appears to be--not the butler nor blackmailer, the chauffeur nor embezzler. Trying hard to remain one step ahead of the killer--and trying harder to impress Madeline--Drew must decide how far to take this dangerous game.

If you like Downtown Abbey, you like British mysteries, you enjoy 1930's Britain, you love stories about the upper class of Britain, you will LOVE this book.  It's full of mystery, upper class traditions, polite manners and general genteel living.    I must say I never figured out "Who dun it," and like the characters in the book had various suspects.

This is the first book in the series; the next book, "Death by the Book," will be released in March of 2014, where once again Drew, Madeline and Nick try their hand at solving more murders.

Stars out of 5 :Lots of mystery, some of it a bit far fetched, but overall a great cast of characters and an easy book to read.  Well worth buying or borrowing from your local library.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"The Letters," by Suzanne Woods

"The Letters," by Suzanne Woods 

Welcome to a place of unconditional love and unexpected blessings
When widow Rose Schrock turns her Amish farmhouse into a bed and breakfast, she expects there might be problems. The reaction of her cantankerous mother-in-law for one. Disapproval from the church for another. But what she doesn't expect is that the guests at the Inn at Eagle Hill will spill their problems into her life and into her heart. She also never expects the kind of help and support she gets from Galen King, the quiet and rugged horse trainer next door. Love, Rose discovers, can bloom in the most unexpected ways.

With inspiration from a true story and her signature plot twists, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to Stoney Ridge for a fresh story of simple pleasures and strong faith in a complex world.

I really enjoy Suzanne's books and this one was no exception.  Also if you read the Stoney Ridge series of books by Suzanne, some of the characters will be familiar to you.  This is the first book in "The Inn at Eagle Hill," series, the second book, "The Calling," will be released in January 2014.

One thing I was impressed about was Rose's character, how strong she was during all the stresses she had in her life.  Also her positive attitude, just made you love her character and how important her faith was to her.  If I had one complaint about this book, it's the way it ended.  There is so much more to tell about Rose, however I am guessing her story will continue in the next book.

Stars out of 5 : 4.5 Really enjoyable book that hooked you right from the start.  It was one that I didn't want to put down.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"A Simple Change," by Judith Miller

"A Simple Change," by Judith Miller

She never imagined a simple change could be so complicated...

Middle Amana, Iowa, 1881

When her parents decide to sell their home and move to the Amana Colonies, Jancey Rhoder must make a difficult decision. Should she give up her beloved teaching job and her carefree life in Kansas City to go with them?

Her suitor, Nathan Woodward, doesn't want her to go, but Jancey feels she must give this new life a try. Her mother is sick, and these next few months may be the last Jancey gets to spend with her. But will this move spell the end of her relationship with Nathan? And when life in Amana is far more mysterious and challenging than Jancey expected, will she choose to return to the city, or will she make this unique place her forever home?

I don't find the Amana Colonies books as relaxing and as spiritual as books involving the Amish or Mennonites for some reason.  Can't quite put my finger on the reason why though.  I have read a number of Judith's books on the Amana Colonies and this one was as good as her other ones.

I enjoyed Jancey's character and had a love hate relationship with Nathan.  There were a couple of twists and turns in the book that did keep it interesting.  I would have loved to know exactly what was wrong with her mother.  It was never explained.

Stars out of 5 : 3.5  Have read worse books, but have read better books.  It's an easy book to read and if you like books written around the Amana Colonies you will love this book.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"Welcome to Last Chance," by Cathleen Armstrong

"Welcome to Last Chance," by Cathleen Armstrong

She's learned you can't count on anyone--but she didn't count on landing in Last Chance.
The red warning light on her car dashboard may have driven Lainie Davis to seek help in the tiny town of Last Chance, New Mexico, but as she meets the people who make this one-horse town their home, it's her heart that is flashing bright red warning lights. These people are entirely too nice, too accommodating, and too interested in her personal life--especially since she's on the run and hoping to slip away unnoticed.

Yet in spite of herself, Lainie is increasingly drawn into the small-town dramas and to a handsome local guy with a secret of his own. Could Lainie actually make a life in this little town? Or will the past catch up to her even here in the middle of nowhere?

This book wasn't full of surprises, but it was a book of small town charm, faith and knowing everyone has their own little secrets.  I wasn't drawn into the book right away, took a few chapters before I got really hooked.  

Each of the characters featured have a story to tell and as this is the first book in the "A Place to Call Home," series I am wondering if the next book will tell the stories of those other character's?  The way the book ended there is more to be told about Lainie's life and she was a great lead character.  Also the way the author described each character made them feel so real.

Stars out of 5 : 4 Bit of a slow start, but when the story gets going you're hooked and wanting to know more.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".