Beauty Among Ruins

 American socialite Lily Durham is known for enjoying one moment to the next, with little regard for the consequences of her actions. But just as she is banished overseas to England as a “cure” for her frivolous ways, the Great War breaks out and wreaks havoc. She joins her cousin in nursing the wounded at a convalescent home deep in the wilds of Scotland at a crumbling castle where its laird is less than welcoming.

Alec MacGregor has given his entire life to preserving his home of Kinclavoch Castle, but mounting debts force him to sell off his family history bit by bit. Labeled a coward for not joining his countrymen in the trenches due to an old injury, he opens his home to the Tommies to make recompense while he keeps to the shadows. But his preference for the shadows is shattered when a new American nurse comes streaming into the castle on a burst of light.

Lily and Alec are thrown together when a series of mysterious events threatens to ruin the future of Kinclavoch. Can they put aside their differences to find the culprit before it’s too late, or will their greatest distraction be falling in love?

Lily was a spoiled rich American that gets sent to England as a way to tame her wild ways.  According to her parents that is.  Lily just wants to be able to live her life they way she wants.  Not the way society or her mother dictates. Alec is trying to hang onto his estate after his father gambles most of the money away.  Strange and dangerous things start to happen on the estate. Some of them life threatening.  The only negative I found in the book was that Alec's poverty was repeatedly stated.  This is the first book I've read by this author and I enjoyed it.

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

Active Defense by Lynette Eason

As a former field surgeon in Afghanistan, Heather Fontaine is used to life-or-death situations. She just didn't expect them to follow her home. When she returns from a party to find that someone has broken into her house--and threatened her friends--she assumes it is the stalker who has been following her and creeping her out. She hopes to find safety and peace of mind by leaving the city and hiding out in a small town. But trouble has followed her even there.

Luckily, a stalker isn't the only one watching Heather. Travis Walker has been secretly watching out for her for weeks. As owner of his own security agency, it's what he does. Together, Travis and Heather must figure out who wants her dead--and why--before it's too late. 

Another hit for Ms. Eason.  This book kept me reading when I should have been doing other things,  Heather would rather run that ask for help from her friends.  She was brought up in the foster care system and was told it's better to stand on your own two feet that accept help from others as they will let you down.  She has learn to accept help when it is offered.  Travis tracks her down and insists on helping.  He also informs her that her friends are waiting to help also.  The thing is that her friends have been threatened by the stalker.  I had an inkling of who the stalker was as I was reading.  But it was still surprising to see that I was correct.

I recommend this book to all who like a great mystery.

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