"To Write a Wrong" by Jen Turano - The Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency, book 2

Miss Daphne Beekman is a mystery writer by day, inquiry agent by night. Known for her ability to puzzle out plots, she happily works behind the scenes for the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency, staying well away from danger. However, when Mr. Herman Henderson arrives on the doorstep of the agency, desperate for someone to investigate numerous attempts on his life, Daphne soon finds herself in the thick of a case she's determined to solve. Mr. Herman Henderson is also a mystery writer, but unlike the dashing heroes he pens, he prefers living a quiet life, determined to avoid the fate of his adventurous parents, who perished while searching for the Lost City of Gold. As the list of suspects grows and sinister plots are directed at Daphne, the situation quickly deteriorates, and a revealed secret jeopardizes their newfound affection. Only time will tell if Daphne will be able to regain Herman's trust and save both their lives.

This book was delightful, full of Turano's trademark humor. Daphne cracked me up, both her actual personality and whatever peculiar persona she adopts under cover. Some of her peculiarities make a lot more sense as we learn her history, and it was fun to meet her family (whom she clearly loves dearly, but is also frequently exasperated with). In spite of being a man who avoids adventure, Herman manages to be quite dashing anyway, especially as his affection for Daphne grows. 

There are some mature themes in the story--primarily related to assault--that were handled well: neither graphic nor victim-shaming, but also neither downplaying the wrong. I wouldn't hesitate to let a teenager read it. On the mystery aspect, I was highly amused by the author's treatment of "trite tropes," as Daphne called them. 

I loved their discussion on the famed notion of love at first sight--that maybe it's not love at first sight, but the possibility of love from one glimpse. I think that's a more accurate description; it's hard to truly fall in love with someone you don't know, but sometimes one can recognize that this is someone I could easily fall in love with after meeting only once. I wasn't expecting such a thought-provoking line, but there you go!

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.

Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency
1. To Steal a Heart
2. To Write a Wrong
3. To Disguise the Truth

"A Man with a Past" by Mary Connealy - Brothers in Arms, book 2

Falcon Hunt awakens without a past, or at least not one he can recall. He's got brothers he can't remember, and he's interested in the prettiest woman in the area, Cheyenne. Only trouble is, a few flashes of memory make Falcon wonder if he's already married. He can't imagine abandoning a wife. But his pa did just that--twice. When Falcon claims his inheritance in the West, Cheyenne is cut out of the ranch she was raised on, leaving her bitter and angry. Soon it's clear someone is gunning for the Hunt brothers. When one of his brothers is shot, Falcon and Cheyenne set out to find who attacked him. As love grows between these two independent people, Falcon must piece together his past if they're to have any chance at a future.

This book covers some of the same ground as book 1--mostly that relevant to Falcon's amnesia, which is helpful if you haven't read book 1, or if it has been long enough to forget some of the salient details. If you've just read book 1, it may be tempting to skim the first couple chapters. 

As Falcon was a might taciturn before losing his memory in book 1, he's the brother we knew almost nothing about, so it was fun to finally learn his story. It's funny how he is almost the opposite of Cheyenne--he's as calm and steady as they come, while she's (presently) a quivering bundle of rage--and yet they're really similar too. Both are highly skilled, especially in tracking and knowing the land, and they respect each other's skills; it draws them together. 

While they do a good job weeding out the bad guys in this book, I have some strong suspicions about one villain who has largely slipped their notice. I'm excited to see how it all goes down in the next book with Molly (who I've been most intrigued by since book 1) and Wyatt.

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.

Brothers in Arms
1. Braced for Love
2. A Man with a Past
3. Love on the Range

"Chasing Shadows" by Lynn Austin

Lena is a wife and mother who farms alongside her husband in the tranquil countryside. Her faith has always been her compass, but can she remain steadfast when the questions grow increasingly complex and the answers could mean the difference between life and death? Lena's daughter Ans has recently moved to the bustling city of Leiden, filled with romantic notions of a new job and a young Dutch police officer. But when she is drawn into Resistance work, her idealism collides with the dangerous reality that comes with fighting the enemy. Miriam is a young Jewish violinist who immigrated for the safety she thought Holland would offer. She finds love in her new country, but as her family settles in Leiden, the events that follow will test them in ways she could never have imagined. The Nazi invasion propels these women onto paths that cross in unexpected, sometimes-heartbreaking ways. Yet the story that unfolds illuminates the surprising endurance of the human spirit and the power of faith and love to carry us through.

I haven't read a lot on the role of the Dutch in WWII, so this book was a pleasant way to rectify that.  Through following one family and their friends, it paints a broad picture of the resistance work in the Netherlands. I liked how the author took into account many kinds of people, not just the whole, hearty, and brave: Eloise, with her PTSD-induced bipolar disorder from her experiences in WWI; Miriam, with her anxiety disorder; the residents of the home for the mentally handicapped; those who were too afraid to fight back; even a young Nazi soldier who just longs for home.

For all that it largely takes place under German occupation, with the laws an ever-tightening noose around the Jews and Dutch resistance, I didn't feel a lot of tension in the story. When Miriam was being moved, or Ans out on assignment for the underground, I never had the tightening in my gut, that worry of, "is this the time they get caught?" There were so few consequences to their activities early on that it was a surprise when things actually did happen. I didn't think it was boring, but at the same time, I found it easy to put down. There's a strong, encouraging element of faith that runs through the story. It was good, but I like a lot of the author's other works significantly more. 

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