A Return of Devotion by Kristi Ann Hunter

Daphne Blakemoor was perfectly happy living in her own secluded world for twelve years. She had everything she needed--loved ones, a true home, and time to indulge her imagination. But when ownership of the estate where she works as a housekeeper passes on, and the new marquis has an undeniable connection to her past, everything she's come to rely upon is threatened.

William, Marquis of Chemsford's main goal in life is to be the exact opposite of his father. Starting a new life in the peace and quiet of the country sounds perfect until his housekeeper turns his life upside down.

They've spent their lives hiding from the past. Can they find the courage to face their deepest wounds and, perhaps, find a new path for the future together?

Daphne is hiding from the world around her.  She made a mistake in her youth that she is still paying for.  William is not your normal Marquis.  He loves peace and quiet.   When he arrives at his new home he is surprised by how it is run and the lack of staff.  Daphne Being the housekeeper makes that very difficult to do.

I liked the book.  But there seem to be a lot of fluff mixed in with the story.  Daphne liked to imagine how life could be and a lot of time was spent on her imaginations.  Sometimes it seemed to go on and on.  The story between Daphne and William was good.   I enjoyed how they worked out their problems.  If William had been a typical Marquis, things would not have worked out well for Daphne. This was the second book in the series.  It isn't necessary to read the first book.  But it would be helpful so you could understand some of the things mentioned in book 2.  I look forward to reading Jess's story.  Hers could be quite interesting.

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

The White City by Grace Hitchcock

While attending the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893, Winnifred Wylde believes she witnessed a woman being kidnapped. She tries to convince her father, an inspector with the Chicago police, to look into reports of mysterious disappearances around the White City. Inspector Wylde tries to dismiss her claims as exaggeration of an overactive imagination, but he eventually concedes to letting her go undercover as secretary to the man in question—if she takes her pistol for protection and Jude Thorpe, a policeman, for bodyguard.

This book started out slow.  I was almost to the point of deciding whether I should finish it.  Then about a fourth of the way in it, started to get interesting.  I liked Winnie's character.  She was full of life and wanted adventure.  Today she would have made a top rate detective.  In the late 1800's it wasn't even considered.  Jude Thorpe was also a likable character.  His love for his family is what drives him.  He quickly falls in love with Winnie.  But her father will not allow it as he is a policeman.  Which I thought was strange as he was Jude's boss on the police force.  Then there was Percival Valentine.  He was also likable.  He is the man that Winnie's father and aunt have chosen for her to marry.  The only problem with that?  She doesn't love him, she loves Jude.  As far as the mystery aspect of the book, it was okay.  The book did make me look up Mr. Holmes to read more about him.

If the book hadn't started out so slow, I would probably give it four stars.  So therefore, I will be giving it three stars.

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

A Tender Hope by Amanda Cabot

As far as Thea Michener is concerned, it's time for a change. With her husband murdered and her much-anticipated baby stillborn, there is nothing left for her in Ladreville. Having accepted a position as Cimarron Creek's midwife, she has no intention of remarrying and trying for another child. So when a handsome Texas Ranger appears on her doorstep with an abandoned baby, Thea isn't sure her heart can take it.

Ranger Jackson Guthrie isn't concerned only with the baby's welfare. He's been looking for Thea, convinced that her late husband was part of the gang that killed his brother. But it soon becomes clear that the situation is far more complicated than he anticipated--and he'll need Thea's help if he's ever to find the justice he seeks.

All Thea wants is a fresh start in life.  With the help of Aimee, her is looking for her birth mother, they head to Ciimarron Creek.  Jackson wants to find the outlaws who killed his brother.  When he eliminates Thea as a suspect they work together to find the Gang.   

What a great conclusion to the Cimarron Creek Series.  I recommend the entire series for all who like mystery and romance.

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

The Coffee Club Mysteries

The coffee shop on the corner of First and Main in Oak Grove, Kansas, seems to attract a series of mysterious events. Or perhaps it is the six women who frequent the shop for book club who are magnets for trouble. . . .

Morgan Butler, owner of the Coffee Perk, finds a project worker hanged at her shop.

Penny Parson finds a gun in one of her beehives.

Evelyn Kliff discovers a dead church meal organizer.

Jo Anderson shares hazelnut coffee creamer, sending a woman into anaphylactic shock.

Harper Daggett is being stalked for an antique jade owl she bought.

Baker Jeanine Gransbury’s charity event money goes missing.
 
These short stories were a delight to read.  I would class them as a good cozy read. You can either set at the beach or in front of the fireplace.  These were not edge of your seat thrillers but good mysteries done the less.  Each main character was at a different stage in life. There wasn't even a romance in a couple of them.  I recommend this book to all those who enjoy a light read with likable characters.

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

The Sky Above Us by Sarah Sundin

Numbed by grief and harboring shameful secrets, Lt. Adler Paxton ships to England with the US 357th Fighter Group in 1943. Determined to become an ace pilot, Adler battles the German Luftwaffe in treacherous dogfights in the skies over France as the Allies struggle for control of the air before the D-day invasion.

Violet Lindstrom wanted to be a missionary, but for now she serves in the American Red Cross, where she arranges entertainment for the men of the 357th in the Aeroclub on base and sets up programs for local children. Drawn to the mysterious Adler, she enlists his help with her work and urges him to reconnect with his family after a long estrangement.

Despite himself, Adler finds his defenses crumbling when it comes to Violet. But D-day draws near. And secrets can't stay buried forever.

This is the second book in the Sunrise at Normandy series.  It's not necessary to read the first book but it would be really helpful to understand the Paxton brothers. 

Adler is running away from his sins and his brothers.  Violet wants to be a missionary.  She doesn't care where.  They meet up on a transport on the way to England and become friends.  Adler meets God in the sky while fighting the Germans.  Violet has to decide if God is calling her to missions or if it is her Aunt Violet.  This book also tells part of the story of the invasion of Normandy. 

I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to Clay's story.

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

Never Let Go by Elizabeth Goddard

As a forensic genealogist, Willow Anderson is following in her late grandfather's footsteps in her quest for answers about a baby abducted from the hospital more than twenty years ago. The case may be cold, but things are about to heat up when someone makes an attempt on her life to keep her from discovering the truth.

Ex-FBI agent--and Willow's ex-flame--Austin McKade readily offers his help to protect the woman he never should have let get away. Together they'll follow where the clues lead them, even if it means Austin must face the past he's spent much of his life trying to forget. And even if it puts Willow's tender heart at risk.

The book started out sort of slow and worked its way into being action packed.  The beginning of the book introduced you to the characters and their backgrounds.  As well as the case Willow's grandfather was just hired for.  Austin had some issues in his past to get over and Willow couldn't accept that he wouldn't share them with her.  As they work out their differences, the case heats up.  Some one tries to kill Willow not once but several times.  The closer they get the more their lives are in danger.  I'd say the last third of the book was action packed. 

This book is well worth the read and I look forward the Heath's story next.

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

Ladies of Intrigue by Michelle Griep

The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady
Cornish Coast, 1815
When a prim and proper governess returns to England from abroad, she expects to comfort her dying father—not fall in love with a smuggler. Will Helen Fletcher keep Isaac Seaton’s unusual secret?

The Doctor’s Woman (A Carol Award Winner!)
Dakota Territory, 1862
Emmy Nelson, daughter of a missionary doctor, and Dr. James Clark, city doctor aspiring to teach, find themselves working side by side at Fort Snelling during the Dakota Uprising. That is when the real clash of ideals begins.

A House of Secrets
St. Paul, Minnesota, 1890
Ladies Aide Chairman, Amanda Carston resolves to clean up St. Paul’s ramshackle housing, starting with the worst of the worst: a “haunted” house that’s secretly owned by her beau—Ta home that’s his only means of helping brothel girls escape from the hands of the city’s most infamous madam.

This book is a set of three novellas.  You can set next to a blazing fire in the middle of winter in your favorite chair and read just one story at a time or all three.  The stories are light reads that don't take much thinking to read.  Just good relaxing reading.  I recommend this book to those who just want to set and relax with a good book.

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