Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Quick Reads/Books to Read When Time is Short

Join in the Top Ten Tuesday fun! Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Here is some novellas I enjoyed:

1. Heir to Edenbrooke

2. To Enchant a Lady's Heart

3. Initium

4. On the Run

5. Gentleman of Her Dreams

6. Love in Any Language

7. Silent Night / Holy Night

8. Deadly Isle

9. If Ever I Would Leave You

10. Deadly Objective

Review: Fatal Witness

Fatal Witness by Patricia Bradley
My rating: 💛💛💛💛

“Being a Christian doesn’t mean we won’t encounter bad things. I’ve learned that the bad things that come my way make me depend on God more.”

This story started with a horrible murder and a nine-year-old witness.

A cold case murder and diamond theft which remains unresolved, added to action, suspense and the adult Dani finding herself in danger again as the murder and thief are still trying to get their hands on the diamonds.

I loved the K9 character, and even Dani’s Puli was included in the story. For some reason when there is a four-legged hero, it just adds to the enjoyment of the story.

I did suspect the murderer correctly at one specific scene, but enjoyed seeing the characters also discover who it was.

I enjoyed seeing how Dani reconciled with lost friends and family and how her memory slowly returned.

It was also enjoyable to see how Alex and Nathan’s relationship further grew in this second installment of the series and how it their relationship was not just perfect after book one, but that there were some small things they had to work through.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*

Review book 1: Counter Attack


View all my reviews

About the book:

As a child, artist and potter Dani Bennett witnessed the brutal murder of her parents. With no memory of the incident or her true identity, she was forced to take on a new name and a new life, hidden away in Montana for the past 25 years.

Mae Richmond has spent the same stretch of time searching for her granddaughter, who went missing the night her daughter and son-in-law were murdered. Convinced the woman she saw in a pottery magazine feature is the woman she's been searching for, she enlists the help of K-9 officer Mark Lassiter of Pearl Springs, Tennessee, who tracks Dani down.

Skeptical but curious, Dani sets out on a journey to uncover the secrets of her past and reclaim her true identity. But someone close to her is determined to keep the truth of what happened all those years ago hidden.

About the author:

Winner of an Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award in Suspense, Patricia Bradley lives in North Mississippi

with her rescue kitty, Suzy, and loves to write suspense with a twist of romance. Her Logan Point series is available at all on-line retailers and major bookstores. In September 2017, JUSTICE BURIED, the second book in the Memphis Cold Case Novels will release.

Her workshops on writing include online courses with American Christian Fiction Writers, workshops at the Mid-South Christian Writer’s Conference, ACFW Minnesota NICE and Memphis ACFW. When she has time, she likes to throw mud on a wheel and see what happens.

I love connecting with readers on my blog every Tuesday where I have a Mystery Question for them to solve: www.patriciabradleyauthor.com/blog
Twitter: @ptbradley1
FaceBook: www.facebook.com/patriciabradleyauthor
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ptbradley/

Weekend Wrap-up: February 4th

 

 

It’s Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Book Date.

We spend some time this weekend visiting one of the tourist sites in the Netherlands

Finished

(Reviews can be found under Book Review tag)

Currently reading

Next up:

What are you reading this week?

Blog Posts Recap:

Here is my past week's Blog Posts.

Top Ten Tuesday

Can't Wait Wednesday

Book Spotlight Fridays!

Saturday Series Discovery

Adding to the Bookshelf:

Which Avid Reader do not add to their shelves! I try to limit mine to review books since I have so many owned on my TBR to read.  So did I add to my shelf this week? 

One ARCs this week:

Bought:

Review: Millstone of Doubt

Millstone of Doubt by Erica Vetsch
My rating: 💛💛💛💛

This is the second book in the Thorndike and Swann mystery series. Even though you should be able to follow everything while not having read book one, I would recommend book one first, since the series develops on each book.

The murder mystery was intriguing to read and try to solve along with Juliette and Daniel. I had a gut feeling of what would happen with the revelation of Daniel’s benefactor but did not 100% guess the entire reveal.

In book one I felt that the focus was more on Juliette and the secret spies, while book two had more of a focus on Daniel and his Bow Street runner would. I liked this because I got to get to know the characters in different ways. It was also fun to see how Juliette tried to grow in her spying skills.

The romance developing between Daniel and Juliette was evident within the struggles of society’s rules for the period.

I am looking forward to reading the third and final book in the series very soon!

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*

Review book 1: The Debutante's Code

View all my reviews

About the book:

Caught in the explosion of the Hammersmith Mill in London, Bow Street Runner Daniel Swann rushes to help any survivors only to find the mill's owner dead of an apparent gunshot. Even though the owner's daughter, Agatha Montgomery, mourns his death, it seems there are more than a few people with motive for murder. But Daniel can't take this investigation slow and steady. Instead, he must dig through all the suspects as quickly as he can, because the clock is ticking until his mysterious patronage--and his job as a runner--comes to an abrupt and painful end. It seems to Daniel that, like his earthly father, his heavenly Father has abandoned him to the fates. Lady Juliette Thorndike is Agatha's bosom friend and has the inside knowledge of the wealthy London ton to be invaluable to Daniel. She should be in a perfect position to help with the case. Still, her instructor in the art of spy craft orders her to stay out of the investigation. But circumstances intervene, dropping her into the middle of the deadly pursuit. When a dreadful accident ends in another death on the mill floor, Daniel discovers a connection to his murder case--and to his own secret past. Now he and Juliette are in a race to find the killer before his time runs out.

About the author:

Best-selling, award-winning author of The Debutante’s Code, first in the Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery Series, Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum. You can connect with her at her website, www.ericavetsch.com where you can learn about her books and sign up for her newsletter, and you can find her online at https://www.facebook.com/groups/inspi... where she spends way too much time! 

Book Spotlight Friday! Fatal Witness

Book Beginnings and Friday56

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. Friday 56 is hosted by My Head is Full of Books and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your e-reader and share a non-spoiler sentence or two.  First Line Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Reading is my Superpower that asks you to share the first sentence of the book you're reading.

Patricia Bradley is one of those authors I discovered years ago and have followed ever since.

Fatal Witness

About the book:

As a child, artist and potter Dani Bennett witnessed the brutal murder of her parents. With no memory of the incident or her true identity, she was forced to take on a new name and a new life, hidden away in Montana for the past 25 years.

Mae Richmond has spent the same stretch of time searching for her granddaughter, who went missing the night her daughter and son-in-law were murdered. Convinced the woman she saw in a pottery magazine feature is the woman she's been searching for, she enlists the help of K-9 officer Mark Lassiter of Pearl Springs, Tennessee, who tracks Dani down.

Skeptical but curious, Dani sets out on a journey to uncover the secrets of her past and reclaim her true identity. But someone close to her is determined to keep the truth of what happened all those years ago hidden.

*************************************************************

Book Beginnings

The back door slammed, and nine-year-old Danielle Bennett jumped.

Friday 56

The shooter obviously had an automatic, as he fired in rapid succession.

My thoughts so far

The plot feels realistic, and I think I have an idea who the murderer is, but can also be wrong.

   ************************************************************* 

Monthly Recap: January 2024

 

 I first saw this monthly reflections idea on: Christian bookshelf reviews

January was a month of new experiences.  We enjoyed a week filled with snow and though it was not much (like 3cm) we enjoyed making small snow men and having some snow ball fights.

What I've read:

(Reviews can be found under Book Review tag)

Kindle:

Audio:

Paperback:

Currently still in progress

What I would like to read in February:

Currently Reading:

Upcoming reads (hopeful):

Will be happy to read these few books still this month:

Did I buy any new books?

Bought:

Freebies: 

Bought:

Did I read everything I wanted too?

The following I had to carry over:

This is a main challenge I want to focus on this year:

Looking at 2024, 24 books I would like to read which I had forever!

I managed to tick one of the list. Will need to do better next month to keep on track!

ARC/Netgalley update:

ARC/Netgalley books downloaded this month:

Maybe a teeny amount to many this month with the ARCs:

ARC/Netgalley books read and reviewed:

Send feedback on the following:

How was your month?

Review: The Debutante's Code

The Debutante's Code by Erica Vetsch
My rating: 💛💛💛💛

Regency, spies, and Bow Street runners met up to deliver a fun, interesting mystery of stolen art pieces and murder.

I absolutely adored Juliette and Daniel and happy to see that this series will continue their adventures and clue solving skills. There are also a few characters from the Serendipity and Secrets series popping up. Juliette’s uncle created quite a few lighter, humorous scenes.

I liked how the author included faith as a natural part of the characters’ lives and how their questions and concerns were relevant to the situations they found themselves in.

I have no idea who Daniel’s benefactor is, but looking forward to finding out who it is and why all the secrecy.

Twists and turns made this story one you did not want to put down and all the characters were delightful to get to know.

The audible book was well done and so entertaining, I loved every second listening to the story.

*I listened to the audiobook on Everand.*

View all my reviews

About the book:

Jane Austen meets Sherlock Holmes in this new Regency mystery series

Newly returned from finishing school, Lady Juliette Thorndike is ready to debut in London society. Due to her years away, she hasn't spent much time with her parents, and sees them only as the flighty, dilettante couple the other nobles love. But when they disappear, she discovers she never really knew them at all. They've been living double lives as government spies--and they're only the latest in a long history of espionage that is the family's legacy.

Now Lady Juliette is determined to continue their work. Mentored by her uncle, she plunges into the dangerous world of spy craft. From the glittering ballrooms of London to the fox hunts, regattas, and soirees of country high society, she must chase down hidden clues, solve the mysterious code her parents left behind, and stay out of danger. All the while, she has to keep her endeavors a secret from her best friend and her suitors--not to mention nosy, irritatingly handsome Bow Street runner Daniel Swann, who suspects her of a daring theft.

Can Lady Juliette outwit her enemies and complete her parents' last mission? Or will it lead her to a terrible end?

Best-selling author Erica Vetsch is back with a rollicking, exciting new series destined to be a hit with Regency readers who enjoy a touch of mystery in their love stories. Fans of Julie Klassen, Sarah Ladd, and Anne Perry will love the wit, action, and romance.

About the author:

Best-selling, award-winning author of The Debutante’s Code, first in the Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery Series, Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum. You can connect with her at her website, www.ericavetsch.com where you can learn about her books and sign up for her newsletter, and you can find her online at https://www.facebook.com/groups/inspi... where she spends way too much time!