The Women in the Green Dress by Tea Cooper

A cursed opal, a gnarled family tree, and a sinister woman in a green dress emerge in the aftermath of World War I.

After a whirlwind romance, London teashop waitress Fleur Richards can’t wait for her new husband, Hugh, to return from the Great War. But when word of his death arrives on Armistice Day, Fleur learns he has left her a sizable family fortune. Refusing to accept the inheritance, she heads to his beloved home country of Australia in search of the relatives who deserve it more.

In spite of her reluctance, she soon finds herself the sole owner of a remote farm and a dilapidated curio shop full of long-forgotten artifacts, remarkable preserved creatures, and a mystery that began more than sixty-five years ago. With the help of Kip, a repatriated soldier dealing with the sobering aftereffects of war, Fleur finds herself unable to resist pulling on the threads of the past. What she finds is a shocking story surrounding an opal and a woman in a green dress. . . a story that, nevertheless, offers hope and healing for the future.

This is the first book I have read by Ms. Cooper.  I found the story line to be quite good.  At first I was a little confused when it kept bouncing from 1919 to 1853.  As I kept reading,  it started to make more since to me.  When the book first starts Fleur doesn't want to acknowledge that Hugh is actually dead.  She hopes he is waiting for her on his farm in Australia.  She doesn't want his money so she goes looking any next of kin that she can find.  What she finds is a mystery.  With the help of an old man she goes on a hunt for Hugh's belongings.

The only negative I found with this book was the swearing that took place here and there. I was disappointed to see it from a Christian publisher like Thomas Nelson.   I would give it a four star rating if it wasn't for that.

I was given this book by Thomas Nelson Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.

Runaway Bride by Jody Hedlund

Wealthy Arabella Lawrence flees to British Columbia on a bride ship still wearing the scars of past mistakes. One of the few single women in the boomtown, she immediately has suitors, but she is determined not to find herself trapped again by a poor choice.

Vying for her hand are two very different men. Lieutenant Richard Drummond is a gentleman in the Navy and is held in high esteem. Peter Kelly is the town's baker and has worked hard to build a thriving business. He and Drummond not only compete for Arabella's affections, but clash over their views of how the natives should be treated in the midst of a smallpox outbreak.

As Arabella begins to overcome her fears, she discovers someone in dire need--a starving girl abandoned by her tribe. Intent on helping the girl, Arabella leans on Peter's advice and guidance. Will she have the wisdom to make the right decision or will seeking what's right cost both her and Peter everything?

This was a book about choices.  Does Arabella think she is above marrying a baker who is below her station or should she try for the Lieutenant who is a gentleman.  She is already running away from an arranged marriage.  There was also the issue of propriety when Pete and Arabella were alone.  Christian standards were expressed.  This was a good clean book and I recommend it.

I was given this book by Bethany House Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.

On a Coastal Breeze by Suzanne Woods Fisher

For Madison Grayson, life is good. Newly licensed as a marriage and family therapist, she can't wait to start her practice. Despite the unfortunate shortage of eligible bachelors on the island--they're all too young, too old, or too weird--Maddie feels like she's finally found her sweet spot. Not even one panic attack in the last year. Not one.

And then Ricky O'Shea drops in. Literally. Floating down from the pure blue sky, the one man in the world she hoped never to see again--the one who'd been her archnemesis from kindergarten through her senior dance--parachutes into town, landing on Boon Dock, canopy draping behind him like a superhero. Ricky O'Shea. Now Pastor Rick, the new minister on Three Sisters Island.
 I wasn't able to get into Madison.  She kept going back and forth in her thinking of Rick.  She is a psychologist.  She would have been better taking some of her own advice.  I also found her to be very opinionated on how other people should live their lives. I did enjoy reading more about the other two sisters.

I was given this book by Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.

Hadley Beckett's Next Dish by Bethany Turner

Celebrity chef Maxwell Cavanagh is known for many things: his multiple Michelin stars, his top-rated Culinary Channel show To the Max, and most of all his horrible temper. Hadley Beckett, host of the Culinary Channel's other top-rated show, At Home with Hadley, is beloved for her Southern charm and for making her viewers feel like family.

When Max experiences aery public temper tantrum, he's sent packing to get his life in order. When he returns, career in shambles, his only chance to get back on TV and in the public's good graces is to work alongside Hadley.

As these polar-opposite celeb chefs begin to peel away the layers of public persona and reputation, they will not only discover the key ingredients for getting along, but also learn the secret recipe for unexpected forgiveness . . . and maybe even love. In the meantime, hide the knives.

The story line of this book was good.  One chef has anger issues. The other doesn't want to make waves.  After Max goes through anger management, he is paired with Hadley on a to die for cooking show that all famous chefs aspire to be on.  This is not what either of them really want to do.  But they want to be on the show.  One minute they are getting along they next not so much.  

I think this book could have been half the size if there wasn't so much inner thinking that more or less said the same thing over and over.  After about two thirds of the way in the book, it got more interesting.  There was more action and not so much inner thinking.

This book was published by a Christian publisher.  There was only a few references to Jesus.  But it was clean and had no foul language.  

I was given this book by Revell Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.  

Closer Than She Know by Kelly Irvin

Teagan O’Rourke has always loved murder mysteries. In her job as a court reporter, she has written official records for dozens of real-life murders. She’s slapped evidence stickers on crime scene photos. She’s listened to hours of chilling testimony. But she’s never known the smell of death. And she never thought she might be a victim. 

Until now. 

A young police officer is murdered just inches away from her, and then a man calling himself a serial killer starts leaving Teagan notes, signing each with the name of a different murderer from her favorite mystery novels. 

Panicked, Teagan turns to her friend Max Kennedy. Max longs for more than friendship with Teagan, but he fears she’ll never trust someone with a past like his. He wonders how much of God’s “tough love” he can take before he gives up on love completely. And he wonders if he’ll be able to keep Teagan alive long enough to find out. 

As Teagan, Max, and Teagan’s police officer father race to track down the elusive killer, they each know they could be the next victim. Desperate to save those she loves, Teagan battles fears that once haunted her in childhood. Nothing seems to stop this obsessed murderer. No matter what she does, he seems to be getting closer . . .

An edge of your seat mystery that kept me guessing till the end.  Tegan is used to violence as a court recorder.  But she has been able to tune that out as she works.  It's another thing when the violence is happening around her.  Those near to her are being murdered.  She turns to Max, her best friend, for help.  Max would like to be more than friends with Teagan.  He fears his history is something that she can't accept.  But he will do everything in his power to keep her safe.  Even as the risk of his own life. This is a fast paced book and one that I didn't want to put down.  I recommend this book to mystery buffs.

I was given this book by Thomas Nelson Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way

At Love's Command by Karen Witemeyer

Haunted by the horrors of war, ex-cavalry officer Matthew Hanger leads a band of mercenaries known as Hanger's Horsemen who have become legends in 1890s Texas. They defend the innocent and obtain justice for the oppressed. But when a rustler's bullet leaves one of them at death's door, they're the ones in need of saving.

Dr. Josephine Burkett is used to men taking one look at her skirts and discounting her medical skills. What she's not used to is having a man change his mind in a heartbeat and offer to assist her in surgery. Matthew Hanger's dedication to his friend during recovery earns Josephine's respect, and when she hears of her brother's abduction, he becomes her only hope for rescue.

Matt has stared down ruthless outlaws, betrayal, and injury, but when a bossy lady doctor crawls under his skin, his heart is tempted to surrender. And when she is caught in the crossfire, he may have to sacrifice everything--even his team--to save her.

What a great book.  I think this is the best book yet by MS. Witemeyer.  I couldn't seem to put it down.  I stayed up way too late reading.  

Matthew Hanger started Hanger's Horsemen as a way to atone for what happened at Wounded Knee.  The men with him were former cavalry under his command.  Their mission is to help those who need help.  If shots need to be fired, they shoot to wound, not kill.  On one of their missions one of the horseman is wounded.  The nearest doctor is Dr. Josephine Burkett.  She is a very competent physician and has a very strong personality.  She can stare any man down.  Even a horseman.  While tending the wounded man she learns her brother is being held for ransom.  She asks the horseman to help her get her brother back. Matthew and Josephine feel an imedidate attraction.  So what can he do but want to help her.  This is where the adventure begins. The story just keeps building.  I couldn't put it down.

I highly recommend this book.  I was given this book by Bethany House Publishing via Net Galley for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.

Masquarade at Middlecrest Abbey by Abigail Wilson

When the widowed Lord Torrington agreed to spy for the crown, he never planned to impersonate a highwayman, let alone rob the wrong carriage. Stranded on the road with an unconscious young woman, he is forced to propose marriage to protect his identity and her reputation, as well as his dangerous mission.

Trapped not only by her duty to her country but also by her limited options as an unwed mother, Miss Elizabeth Cantrell and her infant son are whisked away to Middlecrest Abbey by none other than the elder brother of her son’s absent father. There she is met by Torrington’s beautiful grown daughters, a vicious murder, and an urgent hunt for the missing intelligence that could turn the war with France. Meanwhile she must convince everyone that her marriage is a genuine love match if her new husband has any hope of uncovering the enemy.

Determined to keep her son’s true identity a secret, Elizabeth will need to remain one step ahead of her fragile heart, her uncertain future, and the relentless fiend bent on her new family’s ruin.

Being an unwed mother in Regency times was very hard.  You and the child were shunned.  Elizabeth was on her way to a housekeepers position when her coach is set upon by a highwayman.  The coach is overturned and Elizabeth is left alone and hurt.  The highwayman rescues her and her son from the coach.  Elizabeth pulls his mask down and instantly recognizes him as Lord Torrington.  The brother of her baby's father.  Lord Torrington proposes a marriage to protect her from further tarishment of her reputation.  Also, to help him keep his cover as a spy.  The trouble for Elizabeth begins once upon arrival at Middlecrest Abbey.  It seems the spy for France is in their midst.

This is an interesting mystery novel.  I recommend it to all who like a good mystery.  

I was given this book by Thomas Nelson Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in anyway.

Dead Silence by Robin Caroll

Elise Carmichael is a court sign language interpreter who reads lips all the time. As a widow with a young son who is deaf, lip reading is simply second nature, until the day she reads the lips of someone on the phone discussing an attempt to be made on a senator’s life—a senator who just happens to be her mother-in-law. Before she can decide what she needs to do, she receives the information that her son is rushed to the ER and she must leave. Then she later sees the news report that her mother-in-law has been shot and killed. But when she comes forward, her life, as well as her son’s life, may now be in the crosshairs of the assassin.

I didn't think this book was as good as the other books I have read by Ms. Caroll.  There just seemed to be something lacking.  The story line was good.  The characters were ok. I just can't put my finger on why it wasn't as good.  Elise is a loving mother who would do anything to protect her son.  She spends a lot of time angry with God about her husbands death and her son's deafness. Elise doesn't much care for the FBI either.  At first the FBI don't believe her about witnessing the threat against the senator.  Then when they start believing her, they wonder why she didn't act sooner to warn her that her life was in danger.

Again, this wasn't a bad book.  Just not up to what I expected a Robin Caroll book to be like.

I was given this book by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.