Category: Novella

A Christmas Revelation by Anne Perry

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Novella, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

A Christmas RevelationA Christmas Revelation by Anne Perry

Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Publication Date: 11/6/18

What a wonderfully poignant Christmas story. If you have read this author’s William Monk series, you will be familiar with most of the characters in this book. The story is a wonderfully written tale of redemption and caring at Christmas.

Since last summer, nine-year-old Worm (Warren) has been living and working at the clinic in Portpool Lane. The clinic was established to provide medical care, etc. for women on the streets. He’d always lived on the riverbank before someone rescued him. He doesn’t know if he ever had a father, but he does have vague memories of his mother.

Worm was out and about one morning and looked across the street at the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen. A woman who was all light, warmth, and softness. When a sunbeam came down from the sky and fell on her hair, it glowed like gold. Her smiles seemed to make everyone around her feel good. Then, there were two men who approached her, grabbed her and forced her away. Worm wanted to help her. He raced across the street and followed them as far as he could and then they disappeared. He needed help and he knew just who could either help him or tell him what he needed to do.

Squeaky Robinson will only admit to being somewhere in his sixties. He is the former owner of the two buildings that now house the Portpool Lane clinic. The houses were brothels when he owned them, and quite profitable. However, he’d found himself in a bit of serious legal trouble and made a deal to turn the houses over for the clinic and stay on as its bookkeeper. Secretly, he’s glad about that, but he’d never openly admit it.

Worm runs into Squeaky’s office and tells his tale of the beautiful lady. Squeaky tries to distract him by telling him tales of Christmas – mostly making it up as he goes along because – well – what does Squeaky know about Christmas. When the distraction doesn’t work, Squeaky knows that if he doesn’t help the boy, he’ll just go out on his own. This begins an adventure filled with bad guys, lovely ladies who are not what they seem, explosions and a joyous Christmas.

I hope you’ll give this lovely novella a read this Christmas.

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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”

Mesmerizing the Marquis by Madeline Martin

On By BarbaraIn Author Collaboration Series, Barb's Reviews, Novella, Paranormal / Fantasy, Regency Era (1811-1820)1 Comment

Mesmerizing the Marquis (Enduring Legacy #11)Mesmerizing the Marquis by Madeline Martin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Enduring Legacy #11
Publication Date: 11/6/18

This series is about a family with an extraordinary gift that gets passed down from generation to generation. I have to admit that I have not read any of the other books in the series – mostly because when I look at the reviews, they all say something about ‘needing a box of tissues’ or being heartbreaking. I just haven’t been in the mood to have my heart broken, so I haven’t read the books. But – who can NOT read a Madeline Martin book? Not me – I just had to read it – and I have to say I loved it. Luckily, I didn’t need tissues and my heart is fully intact.

Noah and Helen are two lonely, troubled people who have always wanted love and acceptance from those who are supposed to love and accept them. Isn’t it sad that who are supposed to protect and love us most and the ones who so frequently hurt us the deepest?

Noah Haskett, The Marquis of Hesterton has always been a bit of a recluse, but for the last year, since his brother Rupert died, he hasn’t left home at all. Noah was once a happy child, running and playing with his brother and sister. Then, he contracted an illness that he barely survived, but it left his foot and leg twisted and weak (polio?). He endured a lot of belittling, taunts, and abuse from the boys at his school – but – worst of all – from his father. Noah doesn’t feel any woman can ever love and accept him for himself – flaws and all. He’s a monster.

Miss Helen Craig is outrageously wealthy, firmly committed to not marrying, and hiding her exceptional ability to see both the past and the future. Her mother belittled her and constantly threatened her with bedlam when she was a child – simply because she would tell her mother things that were going to happen. Helen soon came to feel that her ability was a curse and not a gift and she hated it. She certainly had no intention of ever having children and passing that curse along to them.

Helen meets Noah when he saves her from a runaway carriage. She immediately feels the calming effect he has on her and the strong pull. She also sees he is in danger – grave danger. She’s never tried to change the future she has seen before, but she’s going to try this time.

As Helen and Noah draw closer and closer, the threat becomes more and more immediate. More attempts are made and her visions are becoming more and more intense, which means the event is close at hand. What can she do to save Noah? She even tries to read people even though it brings her pain. She thinks if she can read those around him, she can see who means him harm. Then, out of left field comes the totally and completely unexpected villain. You won’t see that one coming!

This novella has a delightful epilogue and I can certainly recommend this wonderful read.

Please check out my reviews at:
Blog: https://flippinpages.blog/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/flippinpages…
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlippinPagesRev
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarbBookReview

“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”