The British Booksellers by Kristy Cambron

A tenant farmer’s son had no business daring to dream of a future with an earl’s daughter, but that couldn’t keep Amos Darby from his secret friendship with Charlotte Terrington . . . until the reality of the Great War sobered youthful dreams. Now decades later, he bears the brutal scars of battles fought in the trenches and their futures that were stolen away. When the future Earl of Harcourt chose Charlotte to be his wife, she knew she was destined for a loveless match, having given her heart to another long ago. Twenty-five years later, Charlotte remains a war widow who divides her days between her late husband’s declining estate and operating a quaint Coventry bookshop, with Amos nothing more than the rival bookseller across the lane. As war with Hitler looms, Charlotte's daughter is determined to preserve her father’s legacy. So when an American solicitor arrives threatening a lawsuit that could destroy everything they’ve worked so hard to preserve, mother and daughter prepare to fight back. But with devastation wrought by the Luftwaffe’s local blitz terrorizing the skies, battling bookshops—and Amos and Charlotte—must put aside their differences and fight together to help Coventry survive.

Dual timelines can be a bit hit-or-miss for me, since generally I'd prefer two full stories rather than two half-stories that have been pushed together, but when the timelines are about the same people, I'm generally confident that the story will mesh well. However, I struggled through this one. 

Normally I don't have a problem keeping track of details from one timeline to the other, but I spent most of the book thinking I missed something. Sometimes an explanation finally came later--and not just a chapter later, but sometimes over half the book later. In the WWII timeline, I would have thought the reason Jacob is suing Charlotte and Eden to be a fairly important detail, but it's chapters after the subject is introduced that we find out for what. And even then, I never understood why Eden was set to inherit (I have an assumption, but if it was actually spelled out, somehow I missed it). So many things introduced in the WWI timeline don't get real explanations--at best, they're briefly glossed over: the broken cello, Gretna Green, the book arrest, why Charlotte married Will after all. And why the rival bookshops?  Why the supposed animosity (that never actually played out on the page)?

The historical detail is well researched, for both timelines. Amos's role as a veterinary sergeant in WWI, the land girls, the bombing of Coventry--all that was excellent. But the story itself left me with more questions than answers. Maybe I'd have struggled less if it were more linear, or if it didn't have Eden's viewpoint; I didn't dislike her chapters, but they seemed superfluous when Amos and Charlotte were clearly the focus and able to carry the story on their own.

Thank you Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Rocky Road by Becky Wade - Sons of Scandal, book 2

FBI Agent Jude Camden handles every aspect of his job with by-the-book professionalism. There's no reason why his latest assignment—which calls for him to pose as the boyfriend of perfumer Gemma Clare—should be any different. Except Gemma is different. She's creative, bold, and feisty. And as soon as she meets Jude, she wants to loosen him up, wrinkle his perfect shirts, and test every ounce of his towering self-control. The FBI has an iron-clad rule against romances between those working together on operations. Jude's never met a rule he didn't respect. But adhering to this one is going to be tough because, as time goes by, he finds Gemma more and more irresistible. Buckle up! It's going to be a rocky road. 

I don't read a lot of contemporary romances, but Becky Wade is one author I will read every time. I love the humor and emotion that Wade manages to capture. I wasn't too sure of Gemma at first, since she seems like a "rules are meant to be broken" kind of person, but in spite of deriving enjoyment from pushing the envelope (at least where Jude is concerned), she's actually really solid--in faith, responsibility, business, familial relationships. Jude was the best. I loved his self control, his integrity, his still-waters-run-deep personality.

It is absolutely shocking (and I cannot overstate how satisfying) when 1. characters act with integrity even knowing there will be unpleasant consequences (Jude with the FBI); and 2. characters withstand temptation to do something stupid that everyone told them not to do (Gemma and New York). #1 didn't surprise as much, because it's fully within Jude's character as a very straight-laced man of integrity, but I was proud that he stayed true and didn't succumb to the bad impulses that so often plague fictional characters. #2 surprised me exceedingly, because Gemma is impulsive and it would have been within her character to do (idiotic, frustrating, and dangerous, but arguably within character), and it is a cliché to which far too many heroines fall victim. I will long bask in this rare joy of characters who choose the smart thing with short-term pain that will lead toward long-term success, rather than opt for short-term satisfaction with long-term consequences. Author, I salute you.

I greatly look forward to Max's story with the mysterious Sloane.

Sons of Scandal
1. Memory Lane
2. Rocky Road

The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple by Joanna Davidson Politano

Peter Driscoll, an underground investigator to the wealthy, has never met anyone like Lily Temple. The beautiful silent-film actress spins fairy tales and plays frivolous roles in front of the cine-camera, but beneath the costumes and stage makeup is a woman with a quick wit--and a murky past. Peter has been tasked with locating the legendary Briarwood Teardrop, an exquisite sapphire, which Lily wears beneath her gown. In order to stay close to her and hopefully unravel the mystery of her story--and the sapphire--Peter employs Lily's help on a case, which leads to a useful partnership. But as they are investigating together, Peter is also investigating Lily. The closer he gets to the truth, the more danger they face. And the closer he gets to Lily, the clearer it is that he needs her even more than she needs him.

If you love stories and storytelling (think fairy tales, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, A Tale of Two Cities), this is the book for you. Essentially the book is comprised of Lily Temple telling her story, with smaller stories within the story--a bit Arabian Nights-esque (but not quite as convoluted). There's her past, which she doles out in the form of stories (so that one can't be certain which parts are true, until near the end). There's the movie she stars in, which we get installments of throughout the book. And there are other people's stories that she and Peter help complete in his job as an inquiry agent. At the same time, there are also moments that are very allegorical, with pretty unmistakable metaphors of God's love.

The author's writing is as lovely as ever, and its very literary quality enhances the story theme of the book. I wasn't surprised by the twists, but the author did, through Lily's stories, set them up for if one caught onto the right details. My main complaint is that the ending felt a little incomplete--I could have done with an epilogue ensuring that justice was served, rather than what seemed to me a rather ambiguous ending. And the cover looks 2-3 decades in the future, not that it actually impacts the story at all.

Thank you Revell and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

If the Boot Fits by Karen Witemeyer - Texas Ever After, book 2

Determined to prove that cattle king Eli Dearing has no justification for evicting his stepmother and half brothers, Asher Ellis uses the cover of a fancy ball to break into the Three Cedars ranch house to search for proof of wrongdoing. On the verge of discovery, he flees, but a boy's cry compels him to make a daring rescue. Spunky and independent, Samantha Dearing balks when she learns the ball her father is hosting in her honor is nothing more than a matrimonial ambush. Taking a break from her unwanted suitors, Samantha spots a thief fleeing her home. When the stranger ends up saving her brother's life, she hides the only clue to his identity left behind--his boot--and resolves to find him herself. But when Samantha encounters the older brother of a student she tutors, all thoughts of the bootless mystery man vanish. And although Asher tries to keep his distance from Samantha for reasons of his own, a series of suspicious accidents befall her, and his protective instincts flare, no matter the cost to their future.

I love fairy tales, but I think this book was better for having been inspired by Cinderella and then running off in its own direction (let's face it, most fairy tales are bit shy on relationship development). Every now and then a detail would crop up as a nod to the Disney version of Cinderella (which was fun for nostalgia, but at the same time, I just don't like Disney upheld as the Definitive Version of any fairy tale). I loved how a lot of things were turned on their heads--Asher as Cinderella, rather than Samantha; it begins with the dance and Asher losing his boot rather than climaxing with the ball; Asher's stepmother is as sweet as they come, and his little brothers are adorable.

For the most part, it really is its own story--most of the plot doesn't have much to do with the fairy tale other than as a jumping-off point. I wasn't actually surprised by the plot twist near the end; the author did a good job setting it up, and I actually managed to latch onto the right clues early on. I really appreciate it when something like that is foreshadowed so that it makes sense, not having it appear melodramatically out of the blue. I also appreciated that Samantha starts working on her relationship with her dad pretty much from the beginning; they have a ways to go, with misunderstandings to work through (some immature behavior to repent of . . . ). 

Over all, it's sweet, entertaining, and faith-filled. And of course, if you love Disney's Cinderella, there are plenty of sly references to watch for.

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Texas Ever After
1. Fairest of Heart
2. If the Boot Fits
3. Cloaked in Beauty

A Noble Scheme by Roseanna M White - The Imposters, book 2

Gemma Parks is known throughout high society as G. M. Parker, a columnist renowned for her commentary on the cream of society. Behind the scenes, she uses her talent to aid the Imposters in their investigations by gathering intel at events and providing alibis for the elite firm's members through her columns. Yet her clandestine work would be more exhilarating if it weren't for the constant presence of the gentleman who broke her heart. Graham Wharton has never had eyes for anyone but Gemma, and she left his soul in tatters when she walked away from him. When the Imposters take on a new job to recover a kidnapped boy mistaken for his aristocratic cousin, Graham is determined to use the time with Gemma not only to restore the missing boy, but also to win back the only woman he's ever loved. As they trace the clues laid out before them, Graham must devise a noble scheme to save the boy's life and heal their hearts.

The imposters have a twisty case this time. 

Up until the big reveal of what caused the massive rift between Gemma and Graham (a third to halfway through the book), I was pretty frustrated with that aspect of the story; Gemma is downright cruel to Graham at times and absolutely refuses to listen or forgive him. It just seemed so petty and beyond reasonable for a pair who has known each other forever. But I will say, the actual reason for the rift (which I did not see coming) is one of the few things that I can believe to drive someone to that place. Fair? No; but very understandable. I could absolutely see myself acting in a similar way given the circumstances. From that point on, I was much more invested in their relationship and could find significantly more grace for Gemma.

It was not only the backstory but also the case that didn't go in the direction I expected, which I really liked in this instance. Even if it's not one of my favorites by the author, it still was a very impactful story (I could have done without quite so many interjections of "lion feathers" and "leopard stripes", though).

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

The Imposters
1. A Beautiful Disguise
2. A Noble Scheme

A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure by Angela Bell

When Clara Marie Stanton's ex-fiancé begins to spread rumors that her family suffers from hereditary insanity, it's all Clara can do to protect them from his desperate schemes and society's prejudice. Her family may be eccentric, yes, but they certainly aren't insane. Then Clara's Grandfather Drosselmeyer brings on an apprentice with a mechanical leg, and all pretense of normalcy takes wing. Theodore Kingsley, a shame-chased vagabond skilled in repairing clocks, wants a fresh start far from Kingsley Court and the disappointed father who declared him dead. Upon returning to England, Theodore meets clockmaker Drosselmeyer, who hires him as an apprentice, much to Clara's dismay. When Drosselmeyer spontaneously disappears in his secret flying owl machine, he leaves behind a note for Clara, beseeching her to make her dreams of adventure a reality by joining him on a merry scavenger hunt. Together, Clara and Theodore set off to follow Drosselmeyer's trail of clues, but they will have to stay one step ahead of a villain who wants the flying machine for himself--at any cost.

I think a book with a strong theme and poignant message can really enhance a story, but in this case, I felt like the story existed to enhance the message. I'm not a fan of Pilgrim's Progress or CS Lewis's more allegorical stories, and this one--for all its whimsical clockwork animals and eccentric characters--fits in decently with them. So if you love the Narnia books, you may really like this one (I know I'm in the minority in that I do not).

I did enjoy the premise; it reminds me a lot of Around the World in 80 Days, and there's that similar sense of wonder as they tour the continent. I didn't mind the suspension of disbelief required for the mysterious mechanical animals, and I enjoyed the eccentricity to a degree (though I wasn't a fan of Clara's mom's overwhelming obsession with animal welfare). But on the whole, it wasn't really what I was anticipating. 

Thank You Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

While the City Sleeps by Elizabeth Camden - Women of Midtown, book 1

Katherine Schneider's workaday life as a dentist in 1913 New York is upended when a patient reveals details of a deadly plot while under the influence of laughing gas. As she is plunged into danger, she seeks help from the dashing Lieutenant Jonathan Birch, a police officer she has long admired from afar. Jonathan has harbored powerful feelings toward Katherine for years but never acted on them, knowing his dark history is something she could never abide. Now, with her safety on the line, he works alongside her through the nights as they unravel the criminal conspiracy that threatens her. And throughout it all, Jonathan fears what will happen should Katherine ever learn his deepest secrets. 

One thing I really appreciate in Camden's books is that the characters are intelligent and generally act accordingly. For instance, Jonathan recognizes the danger of newspapermen knowing Katherine's name, so he makes sure they never say it in their hearing. They get personal guards who actually do their job. They do research and make sensible plans. That doesn't mean things don't go horribly wrong, of course, but it wasn't lack of smarts on their part. I did live in dread of the inevitable disaster Jonathan's house of lies comes crashing down, but since he'd been building it since age 14, I can see how that would be a tangled web to unweave (to mix metaphors). But I really liked him; such a complex character--so incredibly upright, yet it's all built on secrets and lies. And Katherine was great too.

I also love how much actual history gets worked into the stories--from Katherine's flamboyant boss to the NYPD's Italian Squad to anarchists to the mafia. I hadn't realized the mafia was already entrenched in New York by 1910 (and certainly didn't expect it to appear in the book). But I can see how it would have been a significant factor to the police force, even if they weren't directly involved in a crime. And if they were . . . Things could get really messy in a hurry.

This is one of Camden's most suspenseful stories. I can't wait to read about Inga and the other ladies of Midtown!

Thank You Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.