Month: November 2020

Premeditated Mortar by Kate Carlisle

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Contemporary, MysteryLeave a comment

Premeditated Mortar (A Fixer-Upper Mystery, #8)
Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Fixer Upper Mystery #8
Publication Date: 12/1/20
Number of Pages: 304

OOOOOO – Picture this setting – a dark and foreboding former state insane asylum. The complex includes seven large Victorian style buildings and those buildings have all been acquired by a developer who has plans to turn the complex into an upscale ‘destination’ with upscale shops and a luxury hotel. The complex was originally built in Victorian times by Dr. Jones who firmly believed that a beautiful idyllic setting, pleasant surroundings, outside activities, etc. were all beneficial to his patients and he built the complex with those ideals in mind. The asylum was later privatized and was renamed ‘Gables’.

Shannon Hammer’s best friend Jane Hennessey has acquired the lease to building seven in order to create a small luxury hotel and Shannon’s company has been chosen to do the renovations. It is the biggest undertaking of Shannon’s career and she is looking forward to helping her friend create the hotel of her dreams. Jane’s mother was a patient at the Gables, and Jane wants to create the hotel as a warm, loving place in her mother’s memory.

Things begin to go wrong from the beginning – at the ribbon cutting ceremony that allows the lessees to begin their construction projects. When protestors arrive and the developer is slimed, things begin to go from bad to worse. All of the attention seems to be centered around building seven and Shannon is injured more than once and each of those ‘accidents’ could have cost her life. What is going on? Who could wish this project to go wrong? Who are those protestors who seem to have come out of nowhere?

As we read along, we learn more of the history behind the later years of the hospital and the patients who lived there. Can Shannon and Mac help the police chief, Eric, solve the case – even when there is a murder – or two?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the mystery. We saw a more emotional Shannon this time around. I’m not sure I enjoyed a tearful Shannon, nor am I sure I understood the reasons behind it, but that was a minor part of the story. I loved the growth and changes in the romantic relationships between Shannon and Mac, Chloe and Eric, and Jane and Niall.

You can totally read this as a standalone book even though it is part of a series. I hope you will give it a read and enjoy it as much as I did.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Blog Tour – The Formidable Earl by Sophie Barnes

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Blog Tour, Regency Era (1811-1820)5 Comments

Diamonds In The Rough, Book 6  

Regency Romance  

Release Date: November 17, 2020 

 

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He’s breaking the rules for one woman, and coming dangerously close to
falling in love…   

Simon Nugent, Earl of Fielding, knows he’s flawed. He’s arrogant, possessive, and haunted by a terrible choice he made long
ago. So when a former friend’s daughter gives him the chance to do a good
deed, he grabs it. Except he’d like to grab her as well and teach her a thing or two about kissing.
If only she weren’t so damn stubborn.  

Ida Strong wants one thing – justice on behalf of her father. She has no
room for anything else, in spite of her growing and (at times)
inexplicable attraction toward a certain earl. But for a woman who knows
what betrayal tastes like, placing her trust in others is hard. Risking
her heart, would be downright foolish. Until it’s the only thing that
seems to make sense. 

Other Books in the Diamonds In The Rough Series: 

    A Most Unlikely Duke  – Diamonds in the Rough, Book 1   

The Duke of Her Desire – Diamonds in the Rough, Book 2   

The Illegitimate Duke – Diamonds in the Rough, Book 3   

The Infamous Duchess – Diamonds in the Rough, Book 4 

The Forgotten Duke – Diamonds In The Rough, Book 5 

  Series Link 

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Barbara’s Review:

Wow! This was an exciting, page-turner of a book! I couldn’t put it down. Not only did we finally get to see Simon and Ida get their stories, but we also got wonderful visits with several former ‘rough diamonds’ as well. The writing is excellent, the story is well-plotted and well presented, and the characters – well – OMGoodness, the characters are wonderful. We originally met Simon in the first book of the series, A Most Unlikely Duke, and he definitely did not make a good impression. Then, we met the sweet and lovely Ida in the fifth book, The Forgotten Duke. You don’t have to have read those books to enjoy this one, but – goodness, they were GREAT books.

Simon Garrison Nugent, Earl of Fielding, is … boring, strait-laced, proper, judgmental, prideful, and has a sterling reputation among the ton. He’s never set a foot wrong – never done anything out of bounds. He’s definitely NOT a rogue – he doesn’t even visit brothels. Well, he hasn’t before, but after a visit with a couple of friends at White’s – when they told him he was boring – he decided he’d do something really daring and go to a brothel – just to show them. The brothel he chooses is Amourette’s and goodness is he in for a shock at just how non-boring his life is going to become. As he walks in, there is no one there to greet him, so he gets arrogant when he notices a woman standing, partially hidden, on the landing. He demands she come down and when she does, he thinks he recognizes her – and makes a loud, unmistakable utterance about her being Matthew’s daughter. GROAN…

Ida Veronica Strong’s father was convicted and hung for treason four years prior and Ida has been living in hiding at Amourette’s since then – she doesn’t work there, she just lives there with the owner who is her aunt. She’s been hidden away because attempts have been made on her life. She knows her father was innocent and she loudly vowed to find and punish the real traitor – and he took her seriously because attempts have been made on her life. Now, a boorish oaf has announced to all of the patrons just who she is and she has to flee – again.

Simon served with Ida’s father in the wars and he liked him very much. Matthew actually saved Simon’s life, and Simon deeply regrets that he didn’t speak up when Matthew was accused of treason – but it all happened so very fast. Now, it seems he’s failed Matthew’s daughter as well. It seems he just keeps failing people – but he’ll do whatever he can to make things right for Ida.

The book is action-packed, fast-paced, and exciting. You’ll enjoy solving the mystery and finding the real traitor, and you’ll absolutely love the romance. It takes Simon a while to work through all of his feelings and watching him get it is entertaining indeed.

About the Author

Born in Denmark, USA TODAY bestselling author Sophie Barnes spent her youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places all around the world. She’s lived in five different countries, on three different continents, and speaks Danish, English, French, Spanish, and Romanian. But, most impressive of all, she’s been married to the same man three times—in three different countries and in three different dresses.  

When she’s not busy dreaming up her next romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, cooking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading.  

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