Sunday, May 21, 2023

Book Spotlight: A NOVEL DISGUISE ( A Lady Librarian Mystery) by Samantha Larsen


About the Book 

When Miss Tiffany Woodall assumes the identity of her half-brother after his death, she realizes she isn’t the only one with a secret to hide in this historical series debut, perfect for fans of Deanna Raybourn and Sherry Thomas. 

1784 London. Miss Tiffany Woodall didn’t murder her half-brother, but she did bury him in the back garden so that she could keep her cottage. Now, the confirmed spinster has to pretend to be Uriah and fulfill his duties as the Duke of Beaufort’s librarian while searching Astwell Palace for Uriah’s missing diamond pin, the only thing of value they own. Her ruse is almost up when she is discovered by Mr. Samir Lathrop, the local bookseller, who tries to save her from drowning while she’s actually just washing up in a lake after burying her brother. 

Her plan is going by the book, until the rector proposes marriage and she starts to develop feelings for Mr. Lathrop. But when her childhood friend, Tess, comes to visit, Tiffany quickly realizes her secret isn’t the only one hidden within these walls. The body of a servant is found, along with a collection of stolen items, and someone else grows mysteriously ill. 

Can Tiffany solve these mysteries without her own disguise being discovered? If not, she’ll lose her cottage and possibly her life. 

Reviews 

Bottom Line: A Novel Disguise by Samantha Larsen thoroughly entertained me from beginning to end, and I wasn’t yet ready for it to be over when I turned the final page. ~Reading is my Superpower 

Rich in historical detail (don’t eat when you start reading). A NOVEL DISGUISE delivers an intricately plotted mystery with multidimensional characters. ~Cozy Up With Kathy 

About the Author 

Samantha Hastings met her husband in a turkey sandwich line. They live in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she spends most of her time reading, eating popcorn, having tea parties, and chasing her four kids. She has degrees from Brigham Young University, the University of North Texas, and the University of Reading (UK).

She’s the author of: The Last Word, The Invention of Sophie Carter, A Royal Christmas Quandary, The Girl with the Golden Eyes, Jane Austen Trivia, The Duchess Contract, Secret of the Sonnets, The Marquess and the Runaway Lady, and A Novel Disguise. She writes cozy murder mysteries under Samantha Larsen. 

Author Links 

Website  ~  Instagram  ~  Facebook  
Twitter  ~  Library Thing  ~  BookBub  

Purchase Links




Tuesday, May 9, 2023

Book review: THE TWENTY-ONE-YEAR CONTRACT (A Sequel to Secrets, Shame, and a Shoebox) by L. B. Griffin

A change of pace today - historical romance for you!


About the Book:

Kathleen Gray—talented, a little wild, at times rebellious, but always popular—has a fun, easy life in rural Somerset, with a doting family. 

Suddenly, they are gone, everything is changed, and she has only Uncle Jack. Try as he might, he cannot be father and mother to her—he has a business to run and his own life to manage. 

Kathleen takes a chance and becomes Kate Westfield, fending for herself in London, with a new life built on her hopes and dreams and new friends. She could hardly have imagined that one of those friends has a shoebox full of answers. 

Review:

Kathleen's life is turned around in an instant, as is Uncle Jack's. Leaving her home and friends to live at a boarding school wasn't in Kathleen's dreams. She comes up with a plan, knowing that Uncle Jack's life has been disrupted as well, to re-invent herself and pursue her dreams. At the same time, she wonders about her biological parents. With her parents dead, she has no one to ask about them. 

Griffin captures Kathleen's zest for life in the opening of the book contrasted with her devastation when she loses her family in a tragic accident. A tear-jerker for sure. Uncle Jack goes to London to take care of things but a single male with an engineering business in America that requires he travel frequently, he decides the boarding situation with Kathleen's school is the best solution. Kathleen's quick mind and risk-taking tendencies push through and she pursues her dreams.

The setting is predominantly the UK in the 1960's. This isn't a major point, but there are subtle reminders throughout the tale like the use of "groovy." It's well-written and best described as British literature. There are lots of emotional tugs (keep the tissues handy) and strong character development. Kathleen and Uncle Jack are great characters. The Twenty One Year Contract is a coming of age story with family, friends, and self-discovery. 

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way. 

About the Author:

L.B. Griffin was born and raised in the UK. She is married and came out of retirement when she received a contract for her debut novel. Griffin loves to write stories to touch people’s hearts, She draws upon social issues that are often hidden in deep drawers but readers can identify with. Her women don’t see themselves as courageous, strong, or survivors, but they certainly are. 

Her debut, Secrets, Shame, and a Shoebox has received superb 5 star reviews, amongst them Whispering stories and VINE VOICE reader/blogger Michelle Ryles, singing high praise: ‘Incredibly well-written, Secrets, Shame, and a Shoebox is a magnificent debut. It’s a poignant, disturbing and a heart-warming page-turner that has left me chomping at the bit to continue Harriet’s story.’ 

The sequel, and also standalone – The Twenty-One-Year Contract, is already receiving fantastic five star reviews such as: VINE VOICE “This book will have you laughing, crying and cheering.” 

L.B. Griffin continues to turn silent stories into courage, hope, and survival. Be warned, she is a self-confessed chocolate-raisin and strawberry addict! 

Author Links: 

Instgram   ~   Facebook   ~    Twitter   ~   Website  

Purchase Links: