#NetGalley Book Review: The White City by Grace Hitchcock

This is a very sweet historical romance.
The White City
by Grace Hitchcock

File Size: 810 KB
Publisher: Barbour Books (March 1, 2019)
ASIN: B07HYKQBDP
Genre: Christian Fiction, Historical Romance, Historical Mystery
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Mysterious Disappearances Taint the Chicago World’s Fair
Step into True Colors -- a new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime
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.
Will she be able to expose H. H. Holmes’s illicit activity, or will Winnifred become his next victim?

Review:
Winnifred Wylde is the nineteen-year-old daughter of a top Chicago police inspector. After the death of her mother when Winnie was ten, her Aunt Lillian stepped in to help guide the family. Winnie wants to enjoy her reading and visits to the Chicago World’s Fair, but Aunt Lillian wants Winnifred to decorously attend social events and secure a marital match. Inspector Wylde is happy to leave the socializing to Aunt Lillian as he is determined that Winnie marry someone other than a law man.

Winnie is at the Fair when she sees a young woman taken off by a man. Her father isn’t willing to call the police out to investigate because she made a previous allegation that turned out groundless. Inspector Wylde agrees to allow Winnie to continue to visit the Fair but only with a police guard, a new man on the staff, Jude Thorpe. Jude has a good reputation from New York and has secretly come to Chicago to investigate the death of his brother-in-law.

Winnie soon spots the man she suspects and wrangles a job interview so she can learn more undercover. Jude has already been on hand to ‘rescue’ Winnie from the drudgery of a suitor she wants nothing to do with. Now he is standing by to protect her if needed as she works undercover. As they share time together investigating, their easy friendship grows. Assuming Winnie can come through the assignment safely, is there any chance for a continued relationship with family (and boss) set against them?

I liked the characters right away. They are cheery, bright and imaginative. Winnie loves books and gets to meet her favorite author in a surprising element of the story. The mystery plot develops slowly, but this allows the relationship, with conflicts, to develop. I found the author’s afterward interesting as she explained this story was based upon a true crime event.

The author uses fun quotes from Jane Austin books and others to introduce the chapters. I also liked the light scripture and faith references. During a frightening situation, Winnie pulls on her memory verses for support. The story reads easily and moves along at a good pace. There is a good mix of mystery, suspense and romance. I would like to read more in this series and recommend this to readers who enjoy clean, historic romance/mystery.

Source: NetGalley 2019. This qualifies for 2019NetGalley goal.

#NetGalley Book Review: Ladies of Intrigue: 3 Tales of 19th-Century Romance with a Dash of Mystery by Michelle Griep

These are lovely - I really like this author.

Ladies of Intrigue: 3 Tales of 19th-Century Romance with a Dash of Mystery
by Michelle Griep

File Size: 1038 KB
Print Length: 288 pages
Publisher: Barbour Books (February 1, 2019)
ASIN: B07HYM6HQ6
Genre: Christian Romance, Historical Romance
My Rating 4.75 of 5.0

3 Page-Turners Under One Cover from Reader Favorite Michelle Griep!
Can truth and love prevail when no one is as they appear?
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—a home that’s his only means of helping brothel girls escape from the hands of the city’s most infamous madam.

Review:
The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady
Helen is a Pastor’s daughter who has traveled to help her ill father. As she arrives in his community she is kidnapped by a local smuggler. Inadvertently she sees the face of the man who saves her. She is soon surprised to find out his identity. She has a dilemma as she is reluctant to turn in the man who has saved her and cared for her father so caringly.

Isaac has bent his own rules in the name of revenge. The staunch faith of Helen makes him question his motives and look for alternatives. Will he be able to make Helen see him as a reliable person rather than a scoundrel?

I fully loved both of these characters and how the story plays out. There is risk with a lascivious authority not only stalking the smuggler but also inappropriately pursuing Helen and/or Isaac’s single sister. The plot keeps it moving quickly while I was rooting for this couple to get together. I especially loved Helen’s reliance on God and willingness to look for the best in others. She also wasn’t afraid to speak her mind to rebuke inappropriate behavior. My rating 4.75.

The Doctor’s Woman
Emmy is the daughter of a missionary doctor who has recently died. She is preparing to leave the wilderness to return to her society Aunt when she is asked to help at the Fort Snelling while they await the new doctor. Emmy is about to tend a man with a seriously crushed leg when Dr. James Clark arrives. Dr. Clark is a city doctor seeking a coveted position at Harvard. To gain his recommendation he has been directed to show he is able to survive a tour of service in the wilds of the West.

Dr. Clark and Emmy meet with sparks flying. He asks her to stay to help him and the commander makes him responsible for her welfare in the rough environment. He is still set on strict old fashion doctoring techniques while Emmy tries to encourage using some natural remedies learned from the Indians – even those Indians who killed her fiancé. The doctor gains respect for Emmy’s dedication although her independence frustrates him. But when it comes time for him to return to the East will he be willing to part from Emmy?

These are two more engaging characters and another story with plenty of conflict and moments of danger. The description of the western hardships is well done. Their struggles through the circumstances and the decisions they face provide inspiring encouragement. My rating 5.0.

A House of Secrets
Young Amanda has secured the chairmanship of the Ladies Aide Society which she hopes will impress her standoff father. Amanda wants to obtain the title to a dilapidated house to turn it into a safe place for educating street children. A haughty Society member puts Amanda on a deadline to get the title or lose on her first project.

Amanda seeks the help of her fiancé, the city Attorney to find the owner of the land. He claims he is too busy with other issues to help right now but really he is hiding his involvement with the property. He has been using the house to help brothel girls escape from the hands of the city’s most infamous madam. He doesn’t want to let Amanda know his connection to the house, nor certain family secrets.

A powerful business man is thwarting Joseph’s efforts to close down the local brothel. The corrupt man is quick to comfort Amanda when she is devastated to learn of Joseph’s betrayal. Just as matters come to a head a life-threatening accident pushes Joseph to face his fears and Amanda to address her impulsive rejection.

I liked the interesting brothel and society history in this story. The story felt a little rushed and didn’t pull me in as much as the first two. Still, it was entertaining, and I appreciated the messages regarding the harm of secrets in a personal relationship. My rating 4.5.

I enjoyed a previous historical romance by this author, The Captive Heart. I highly recommend this author and this story to readers who like Christian and historical romance with real life danger and conflict.

Source: 2019 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2019TBR, 2019NetGalley and 2019 Alphabet goals.

Book Review: Know Your Bible by Paul Kent

This is a keeper resource for my shelf.
Know Your Bible: All 66 Books Explained and Applied
By: Paul Kent

Amazon Link
File Size: 342 KB
Print Length: 99 pages
Publisher: Barbour Books (February 1, 2008)
Publication Date: November 10, 2010
ASIN: B004D9FUA4
Genre: Christian, Inspirational, Religious
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Product Description
Know Your Bible is a concise, easy-to-understand guide to God's Word-giving you a helpful and memorable overview of all 66 books. For each Know Your Bible provides data on the author and time frame, a ten-word synopsis, a longer (50-100 word) summary, thoughts on what makes the book unique or unusual, a listing of key verses, and a "So, What?" section of practical application. It's a fantastic resource for individuals and ministries! Quotations are in NIV, ASV, and KJV.

Review:
I have studied the Bible and even led a study group on The Bible Through a Year – which took two years to finish. This little booklet provides a great summary for each book. It starts by identifying the author and the date written. The book is encapsulated in 10 words or less, then a detailed paragraph summarizes the book. Key quotes are shared, and a uniqueness of the book. The final section is “So What” which notes why the book is important.

I liked the concise format and I highlighted several pages. This is a great resource for new believers as well as mature believers to keep and use now and again. I recommend this as a wonderful resource tool for those who like to study the Bible.

Source: Kindle Library from 2012; 2017 Purchase at CBD for Ladies Book Club. Qualifies for 2018TBR and Alphabet Challenges.

Book Review and Giveaway: Simple Deceit by Nancy Mehl

This is a strong, faith-based mystery with a sweet romance is challenged by rumors and tension.

Simple Deceit: 
A Mennonite Community's Way of Life Is Threatened by Outsiders
(The Harmony Series Book 2)
by Nancy Mehl

File Size: 869 KB
Print Length: 322 pages
Publisher: Barbour Books; Reprint edition (December 1, 2010)
ASIN: B00492AV0O
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

In the sequel to Simple Secrets, watch how a raging current of deceit runs through the once peaceful Mennonite community of Harmony, Kansas. As soon as Gracie decides to stay in town and take freelance work involving a local land developer, the townspeople blame her for bringing on this change that could ruin life as they know it. Gracie’s motives in romance with Sam, in helping an oppressed teenager, and in trying to make a living are all suddenly drawing suspicion. Should she leave or stay and fight for what she has come to love?

Review:
Gracie inherited her Uncle’s home and land in Harmony, Kansas. Although she was an outsider when she arrived, she soon found a warm welcome among the close knit, loving Mennonite community. Gracie has been away at work for several months. Now she has returned to her boyfriend, Sam, and the warm community she has learned to love. But it seems that trouble may have followed her.

The night Gracie returns she startles a girl leaving a baby at the door of her church. No one sees the girl and someone begins a rumor that the infant is hers. Sam reacts badly to this rumor.

Gracie does freelance work for a public relations firm that is about to produce work for a developer, Eric, who wants to bring a small retirement resort on the outskirts of Harmony. The developer has convinced small business owners that the project can help them. Other members of the community are reluctant to allow such outsiders fearing that the influence on their way of live.

Eric has scheduled a town meeting to discuss his project. The bitter man who had supposedly agreed to sell his land to the developer has doubled his price so the project is on hold. Eric drives Gracie home where he gets stranded by a snow storm, causing further tension with Sam.

Sam lives with his Aunt who raised him since a young boy. Although he thought he had come to accept his past, the baby’s abandonment brings back bad memories for Sam to face. Can he deal with his demons before he loses Gracie? Can Gracie re-gain her reputation

This is the second book in the series and apparently the first included a mystery body found on Gracie’s land. The characters and faith community have a wonderful warmth.  Ms. Mehl presents a good story with mystery, intrigue, conflict, humor and sweet romance. I enjoyed the gentle faith shared through the characters lives. All of the ladies in my book club enjoyed this story and would be willing to read more by Ms. Mehl. I recommend this to readers who enjoy faith-based mystery and sweet romance.

This book was for our Ladies Book Club.

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