Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green

In the past, Green's work has been hit or miss for my personal tastes. However, Veiled in Smoke reminded me why I keep returning. Here Green weaves romance and mystery, hope and loss, against the backdrop of the great Chicago fire for an engaging read.

One thing I appreciate about Green's narratives is her willingness to dive into difficult topics and Veiled in Smoke is no exception. Aside from the aforementioned mystery surrounding Hiram's murder Green also weaves in disability, PTSD, and mental health care in the 1800s as driving elements within her story. As someone with a disability, I appreciate that there were no quick fixes for Meg and the care Green took for her journey. I also appreciated the contrast she provides within the asylum and Dr. Gilbert's approach to treating their patients in regards to mental health through the care of Stephan Townsend.

Grieving and new starts were two themes that came up repeatedly whether on a large scale within the city or within the characters themselves. Green presents a variety of multidimensional characters who each offer their own perspective into these themes. This allows Green to come at her topics in both broad and nuanced ways without feeling over explored. Although Meg was the main character, Sylvie, Nate, and Stephen are all given such attention to detail and character each easily carries the story on their own in varying sections adding to the grand scale often found in Green's novels.

As far as the plot goes, despite the amount of characters and detail, Green does provide a satisfying story arc for Meg while still providing a solid lead in for the next book in the Windy City Saga.

4 out of 5 stars

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

Finding Lady Enderly by Joanna Davidson Politano

A rag woman, a country estate, and intrigue around every corner combines to create a highly enjoyable read from Joanna Politano.

Joanna Politano knows how to deliver a plot that is both fresh and engaging to readers. There really was so much to love within these pages. The characters were well fleshed out and had flaws that made them feel more realistic. I appreciated how Rothburne Abbey was able to take some of these on itself as it mirrored Raina's personal journey throughout the plot. Sully was a great romantic lead with his passion and drive, though I wish he had recognized his own identity as more than rescuer earlier in the book. 

I also appreciated the detail Politano put into the layers of her plot. The depth within the themes of renewal/restoration, the meanings of identity and names, the challenges of pursuing freedom and truth all made for a riviting read where the plot pulled readers in without revealing all of its secrets before their time.

Now, all that said, there were two points that detracted from the story slightly for me personally. During the transitions from Raina to Sully were a little jarring as the timing felt off but was never specifically mentioned. Now, admittedly, I was reading late at night which happens when you can't put a book down ;) but I do wish there was more clarity in those pov changes.

I, also personally, feel that the romantics will find the ending a wonderful conclusion but I would have preferred a more realistic end. Everything clicked into place just a little too neatly in the final chapters for my own taste and I was intrigued by the other path Raina had available to her which felt more plausible. 

Politano knows how to weave story and characters with meaning and message to create an engaging narrative for readers to fall into, that said, the ending does feel a little too clean for the story that was told and I'll probably be pondering Raina's what-ifs for awhile.

4 out of 5 stars.

I received a copy of this book as part of the Revell Reads blog tour in exchange for my honest opinion.

A Sparkle of Silver by Liz Johnson

I first discovered Liz Johnson through her Red Door Inn series and fell in love with the charm and characters she brought to life in P.E.I.

A Sparkle of Silver has a very different feel than Johnson's earlier series, here characters are plunged into a double mystery of a decades old lost treasure and the true identity of main character Millie's great-grandfather following a summer marked by a romantic triangle.

Honestly, after having loved Red Door Inn so much, I struggled, at first, to engage with A Sparkle of Silver.  The mystery and intrigue were well  written but not the charm I originally hoped for and possibly expected thanks to some preconceived hopes. 

Then came George. George softened the characters around him, even those reading a journal decades later, and brought the charm and context that hooked me emotionally. Every story needs one of those characters.

Of course, Grandma Joy and Millie's relationship was also  brilliant. As someone who grew up with lots of grandparents and adopted grandparents, the way Johnson portrays the relationship complete with ups and downs of dementia from Millie's perspective was touching. Her worries over caring for the woman who raised her, her concerns over increased needs, and wondering which "version" of grandma she would encounter felt so real. Now, Grandma Joy did seem to have quite a few lucid days during this story for a dementia patient but the extent of her condition wasn't overly explained so I'll give a little artistic and medical license for how beautifully Johnson crafted their relationship and the messages she imparted through it. I loved how in a lucid moment Grandma Joy lays out her continued worth despite no longer having constant, ready access to her memories. So touching when the elderly and those who are loosing their memories are often undervalued.

The Chateau  was  definitely the star as far as setting  goes. I didn't get the same "locked in" feeling when it came to geography as I have with other books. While The Chateau was alluring enough to make me want to go on a few old house tours myself, the rest of the story felt as though it could be happening in any small town across North America in the summer. Not a bad thing but hard to place within the "Georgia Coast"  as the series title implies.

As far as  the plot itself, Johnson has woven sweet romance into a backdrop of gentle mystery (for instance one death feels very glanced over)  providing a easy and entertaining read.

4 out of 5 stars.

I received this book as part of the Revell Reads tour in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond by Jaime Jo Wright

Jaime Jo Wright has done it again. Between her strong female leads, attention to detail, and ability to weave past and present into one gripping tale Wright's books are fast becoming must-reads in her genre.

One of Wright's greatest strengths is her ability to anchor plots with details that cross the decades and I loved the way she  incorporated those overarching details throughout The Reckoning of Gossamer Pond. I found myself going back and rechecking details on a certain watch or flipping through and realizes afresh the significance of events as new family relationships were revealed. These details help give the plot a full and complete feeling.

I also appreciate the pacing of Wright's work.  The mysteries surrounding both Libby and Annalise were given time to grow and unveil themselves naturally throughout the plot. This really helps give the story a stronger secretive atmosphere and allowed me easier access into the world  of Gossamer Grove.

Finally, I appreciate the leads Wright brings to life. Rather than focusing on coming of age, Wright brings out women who have strengths, goals, and lives of their own  while still feeling  the effects of loss and hurt from their past. I appreciate seeing characters who are relatable wrestling with the messiness of life and human  mistakes.

 

The only downside I found with The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond was the development of the Corbin brothers. While both held important roles to the plot I still wanted more out of them, especially in light of Wright's ability to bring out details. The brothers felt functional more than riveting and Jacobus especially felt like a character with more to add.

Wright has become my hands down go to for a good historical mystery. I cannot wait to see what she brings to life next.

4.5/5 stars

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

Oath of Honor by Lynette Eason

In her new novel Oath of Honor, Lynette Eason has offered a drama/mystery that would easily fit into any Friday night  television lineup.

Eason excels in placing her readers at the  heart of the action. I appreciate how she can weave her plot and truly make her main characters the readers eyes. I did not feel  the plot was overtly obvious and  never felt like I was moving too far ahead of Izzy and Ryan's discoveries. Eason really strives to lay her story out not without twists but still in a way that feels logically as Izzy and Ryan uncover their trail of clues.

As a main character, Izzy strikes me as your typical heroine. Easily likable thanks to her hard work ethic, her kind heart, and her appropriate mix of vulnerability and police smarts she easily holds this book together. I appreciate how relatable Eason makes her heroine, spiritual elements are not overly heavy but pop up in natural flowing ways given the high stress/short time frame of the narrative.

That said, those looking for a  book with a sermon should probably look elsewhere. Throughout the story I was constantly struck by how easily this could be turned into a series screenplay, bringing the strengths and weakness of that genre. 

The action and adventure kept me pressing on to discover Kevin's killer, the budding romance felt a little rushed but tempered thanks to the author's skillful use of established character history. 

Eason keeps her pace tight and fast which helps build the tension and convey the stress Izzy and Ryan were under in tangible ways. 

That said, some areas struggled though in the written format.

I felt that  the scenes with the family whether at home or during heavy emotional moments struggled to convey the nonverbal emotion that is so present in those moments. As a result, those scenes lost impact and  even felt awkward at times.

I was also unsure  how to interpret the mental health  aspect of the story line. I wish more emphasis had been placed on the differences between  illness and where the story eventually went (seriously don't want to give away spoilers).

3.75 stars out of 5

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

The House on Foster Hill by Jaime Jo Wright

Kaine Prescott is no stranger to death. When her husband died two years ago, her pleas for further investigation into his suspicious death fell on deaf ears. In desperate need of a fresh start, Kaine purchases an old house sight unseen in her grandfather's Wisconsin hometown. But one look at the eerie, abandoned house immediately leaves her questioning her rash decision. And when the house's dark history comes back with a vengeance, Kaine is forced to face the terrifying realization she has nowhere left to hide. 

A century earlier, the house on Foster Hill holds nothing but painful memories for Ivy Thorpe. When an unidentified woman is found dead on the property, Ivy is compelled to discover her identity. Ivy's search leads her into dangerous waters and, even as she works together with a man from her past, can she unravel the mystery before any other lives--

including her own--are lost?

Wow, Wow, Wow! 

Considering this is Jaime Wright's first foray into the world of solo novels (she has published before in romance collections)  she has quickly shot her way into one of my favourite books of the year.

This woman is a skilled storyteller. First off, the plot. I  was on the edge of my seat (okay technically pillow but still) the whole time. Wright masterfully brings readers back and forth in  time between Ivy and Joel's turn of the century mystery and Kaine and Grant's modern day suspense. Honestly, most dual timeline stories leave me dazed and confused with  transitions that seem jarring. Wright manages to make her transitions feel natural and free flowing allowing the story to maintain its flow throughout.

This was absolutely necessary to maintain the suspense and drama of her plot and she packs in a lot of both. 

Wright is not one to shy away from serious topics.

 I was impressed with the honest approach she took in weaving in topics such  as human trafficking, abuse, death, grief.  I love novels that take the time to shine light on topics that can be uncomfortable but necessary. Given the sensitivity with which Wright explores such big topics I was curious to see how she would incorporate a faith element into her plot and was pleased to see that she maintains the same quality and realism that she brings to her other subjects. Kaine and Ivy's individual struggles with faith given their losses as well as Gabriella's steadfast faith in light of her trials were believable and thought provoking without coming across as a sermon surrounded by a novel.

Of course, the bulk of the story relies on it's characters and Wright has given some amazing characters. Ivy was an early favourite of mine but Grant and Joy soon became favourites as well.

Wright doesn't give picture perfect characters, they come scarred and with walls and I appreciate how Wright  allows readers to discover their secrets over time rather than reading right through them.

4.5 stars out of 5

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc