"A Pursuit of Home" by Kristi Ann Hunter - Haven Manor, book 3

Jess has spent most of her life in hiding and on the move in an effort to leave the past behind her, finding a haven--if not outright a home--at Haven Manor. But when it turns out family she thought long dead might be alive and in danger, her secrets can only stay buried for so long. Desperation brings her to Derek Thornbury, the world's most annoying expert in history and art, to help her decipher the clues in an old family diary. Will their search to uncover the truth of the past lead to a future together?

Finally we find out the backstory of the mysterious Jess! My guesses regarding her history were woefully shy of the reality. With Jess's ties to the Duke of Marshington, I was not surprised when he and other characters from A Noble Masquerade made appearances. I will admit, Ryland, when not the hero of the story, can be exasperating. But it was fun to finally tie the Hawthorne House and Haven Manor series together, and to find out how Jess moved from one to the other.

It amused me highly that Jess, the highly efficient master of disguise and rather blood-thirsty former spy, is forced to work with the one person in this world who annoys her more than any other. And that Derek, so oblivious to the world and so obsessed with art, is able to catch her out when she's up to her tricks. It's pretty sweet justice. Of course, once they quit fighting so much, they balance each other beautifully and form a great partnership.

I really like how the romance played out. Enemies to lovers is a pretty popular trope, but the author keeps it believable with a slow change of opinions, a gradual softening toward one another, working toward friendship and then attraction (none of that getting-into-a-fight-that-ends-in-passionate-kissing nonsense). Come to think of it, I'm not sure they ever did kiss on page. But it was a delightfully satisfying conclusion regardless.

Haven Manor
0.5: "A Search for Refuge" (free prequel e-novella)
1. A Defense of Honor
2. A Return of Devotion

3. A Pursuit of Home (November 2019)

3.5: "Legacy of Love" (published in The Christmas Heirloom novella collection)

Related Series (takes place chronologically before Haven Manor):
Hawthorne House
0.5 "A Lady of Esteem" - a free novella introduction to the Hawthornes and friends!
1. A Noble Masquerade
2. An Elegant Facade
3. An Uncommon Courtship

4. An Inconvenient Beauty

Related Series (takes place chronologically after Haven Manor):
Hearts on the Heath
1. Vying for the Viscount
2. Winning the Gentleman

"The Bridge to Belle Island" by Julie Klassen

When one of the senior partners in their London firm is found murdered, Attorney Benjamin Booker is sent to a remote island in the Thames to investigate the dead man's wards. Though evidence suggests spinster Isabelle Wilder had a role in the murder, her crippling anxiety about leaving the island-such that she claims to have not crossed the bridge in over a decade--is a puzzling contradiction. As numerous individuals with ample reason to see the man dead convene on the island, Benjamin and Isabelle will have to decide whom they can trust.

This is unquestionably a murder mystery, complete with all the trappings: red herrings, lies, sketchy alibis, and an abundance of suspects and motives, but set firmly in Regency era England. The mystery is definitely what drives the plot, and I didn't feel it had the emotional depth and impact of some of the author's other novels, but the constant spiritual thread about anxiety and placing one's trust in God was certainly timely for me!

While I preferred Klassen's Gothic stories (The Tutor's Daughter, The Secret of Pembrooke Park) to this one, it was an enjoyable foray into the classic mystery genre. If you're a fan of cozy mysteries, you won't be disappointed!

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.

Splickety: Buckle Up

Writing flash fiction is a challenge (700 words makes for a mighty short story), but it's a lot of fun too. The September 2016 issue of Splickety was a contest issue, and I had the honor of submitting the winning story!

Transportation is so much more than how to get somewhere. It’s about speed, danger, near-misses, and thrilling journeys. Our Buckle Up issue packs it all, from elephants to gondolas, rollercoasters to buggies.

The winning story, “The Dewey Road” by Rachael Koppendrayer, is sure to transport you to another time in a way you’ve never experienced. Add a feature piece by Kristy Cambron and it’s an issue on the road to epic.

For those who aren't familiar with Splickety, it is a flash fiction magazine (also available digitally), full of short stories 1,000 words long or less. Each issue is on a specific theme, and stories can be submitted by anyone and are hand-picked by the editors. Unfortunately, as of December 2018, Splickety closed its doors, but Havok (formerly part of Splickety--the fantasy/sci-fi edition) emerged from Splickety's ashes in January 2019, with more opportunities for writing and publishing flash fiction. Check it out!