Month: April 2023

The Spinster and Mr. Scott by Jennifer Haymore

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a Series, Re-Release / Updated Edition, Regency Era (1811-1820), Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Spinster and Mr. Scott: A Regency Historical Romance Novel (The Highland Knights Book 1)The Spinster and Mr. Scott: A Regency Historical Romance Novel by Jennifer Haymore

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Highland Knights, #1

Release Date: May 1, 2023 (re-release, originally published 2015)

I first read this book back in 2017 when it was titled “Highland Heat”, the first book in the Highland Knight series. I loved the book then and I still love it now, because it was so much more than I was expecting and so emotionally charged.

They meet when Lady Grace Carrington searches the Waterloo battlefield looking for any survivors, it is there that she finds Sergeant Duncan Scott, a Scottish sheep farmer from the highlands. From that moment, I felt the incredible connection between Grace and Duncan. And that connection never waned even when it seemed impossible for these two to be together.

The story basically starts at the same time prequel novella “A Highlander’s Heart” (now titled “To Love A Scot”) and continues where that one ended, in fact, we get to see more of Claire and Robert’s happily ever after (yay!). We also get to learn a little bit more about the Highland Knights and their mission to keep England safe.

This book is well written and flows nicely. The story is filled with intrigue, forbidden love, spies, danger, steamy love scenes, class differences, wonderful secondary characters, soulmate-type love, some nail-biting moments, and finally, their HEA complete with an epilogue that sets up the next book. It was just about perfect! I happily recommend this book, it is a re-release, but the author has edited and enhanced the story, and it is still not necessary to read the prequel, however, once you’ve read this book, I can almost guarantee you are definitely going to want to read that as well!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

Dressed to Drill by Kate Carlisle

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Contemporary, Mystery, Part of a SeriesLeave a comment

Dressed to Drill (Fixer-Upper Mystery, #10)

Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Series: Fixer-Upper Mystery #10
Publication Date: 5/2/23
Period: Contemporary
Number of Pages: 304

Whoosh! What an exciting read – there is never a dull moment in the book – and the last few pages are the most perfect yet! On the heels of attending the premier of the latest movie based on one of Mac’s books, it is time for Shannon to put on her steel-toed work boots and get started on the massive renovation of a beautiful Victorian church. The church congregation has moved to a new sleek new location and the now empty, centuries-old church will be made into a museum by Shannon and her crew. Everyone is excited to get started – until they almost immediately find a body and the police shut down the job until forensics could finish their examination.

When Shannon found the body, she noticed several ‘odd’ things – and immediately began checking them out while she waited for the police. The police chief, who is engaged to Shannon’s sister, Chloe, quickly berated Shannon for messing around with the crime scene – even though he appreciated her insights. As the crew is allowed back to work, they meet many of the former congregation – and Shannon realizes that they are hiding a secret of some sort – or maybe more than one secret. Was it a secret worth killing over? Then, another murder – how are the two murders connected? Shannon and Mac are determined to find out who committed these heinous crimes before their project gets shut down – and to get justice for the victims.

With a whole congregation full of suspects – along with the staff at the church, there is enough to keep them busy. Who could possibly wish to harm those lovely people? What secrets could be worth that? The victims weren’t really related – one was an employee of the church – and the other was an employee of the museum – what could they have in common?

Shannon, Mac, her crew, her gaggle of girlfriends, and, of course, the local police definitely have their work cut out for them. Luckily they are up to the task. The culprit may surprise you – and the reason may have your jaw-dropping.

It was a fun, fast-paced read and was, as always, excellently written and plotted. Then, as I mentioned earlier, those last few pages are to die for. You’ll love it!

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

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