Lost Books and Old Bones by Paige Shelton

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, MysteryLeave a comment

Lost Books and Old Bones: A Scottish Bookshop MysteryLost Books and Old Bones: A Scottish Bookshop Mystery by Paige Shelton

Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Scottish Bookshop Mystery #3
Publication Date: 4/3/18

Oh! My! I’ve definitely found a new series to start reading. This is my first book by this author but it definitely will not be my last! The mystery is well plotted, the story is wonderfully written and the characters are both relatable and likable. The setting is perfect (Edinburgh) and the author’s descriptions make you feel as if you are right there with the characters. This author includes lots of actual interesting history that she weaves seamlessly into the story. Though this book is part of a series, I had no trouble with understanding the character relationships, so it could be read as a stand-alone. However, the book intrigued me so much that I am going to read the first two books in the series as soon as I can. I’m really looking forward to them and the next books in the series as well. One of the things that I loved was that it was not so filled with sub-plots that you were constantly dragged away from the main plot. Of course, I also like the romance.

Almost a year ago Delaney Nichols left Kansas for her dream job at The Cracked Spine in Edinburgh, Scotland. The Cracked Spine deals in new books as well as antique books, manuscripts, maps, etc. Since her arrival in Scotland, she’s already helped in investigating two murders and she’s certainly glad that is all behind her.

In the last few months, she’s made friends with two students, Sophie and Rena, from the University of Edinburgh Medical School. While they are at a club, celebrating the completion of a big exam, she notices some strange interactions and people and she also meets another student, Mallory and likes her very much. She also meets the odd Dr. Eban who is an instructor at the school. At the end of the evening, she and the students go their separate ways – Mallory and Sophie take one cab, Delaney takes another and Rena takes yet another.

Delaney (I just love that name) gets a call from the bookstore the following morning and is told she needs to get there as soon as she can. As Delaney approaches the store, she is met by chaos. There are police cars, crime scene investigators, policemen and a detective all over the outside of the lovely old bookstore. What in the world is going on? The shop had been broken into and a body had been found outside in the close (alley). Then, she learns that she knows the victim.

As someone who is always intrigued by a mystery, Delaney can’t just sit by and allow the police to do all of the investigating. She shares all she learns, but she refuses to sit idly by and allow others to investigate. Besides, she’s intrigued by some things she knows and doesn’t want to share.

The supporting characters are lovable and quirky and her boyfriend/lover, Tom is just perfect for her. She cares for him more and more but is unsure how long the relationship will last because he has dated half the women in Edinburgh and none of the relationships last more than a few weeks. Strangely, they have been dating for almost a year, so she wonders what is different and how soon he’ll leave her. One of my favorite characters is Artair, Tom’s father. He’s delightful.

I definitely loved the book and recommend it as a great read with a combination of mystery and romance.

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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.”

Lord of Temptation by Erica Ridley

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Lord of Temptation (Rogues to Riches Book 4)Lord of Temptation by Erica Ridley
Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Rogues to Riches, #4

Release Date: March 30, 2018

This is a very emotional second chance at love story. Ten years ago Faith Digby and Zachary Nash were in love, they shared a night of passion and promises were made. But the next day, reality slapped Zachary in the face. With the death of his father, he became the Marquess of Hawkridge and responsible for all the debt the marquisate had accumulated under his father and then his guardian. Foolishly, Hawk thought he could marry Faith, but when he learns the full extent of his obligations, he sends her a letter breaking with her.

Faith was devastated by Hawk’s rejection and wrote back telling him to never speak to her again. Later when she learns that she is expecting a child, she and her parents concocted a story to explain the appearance of Christina. In the years since Hawk left her, the Digby’s have become rich and it enables Faith to work with Dehlia at the school in St. Giles. When Dehlia’s husband Simon, brings his half-brother to dinner, it is the last man Faith ever wanted to see again – Hawk.

Hawk regrets loosing Faith, but he could not afford to marry her then or even now. He has worked hard the last ten years and is close to paying off his debts and once again being financially stable. He hopes once the port he is building is opened, he will finally be in a position to win back the only woman he has ever loved. When he sees Faith again, the years fade away and he is desperate to apologize and explain his actions.

Faith wants nothing to do with him and is terrified he will learn her secret. She is still angry and hurt, but admits to herself that she still loves him. Hawk tries to get himself back into her good graces and then learns that her family is rich – how can he convince her that it is her and not her money he wants?

When Hawk learns of his daughter, he is furious and will stop at nothing to be with his child, even marry her mother. Faith agrees to marry him, but she will be damned if he gets a shilling from her and makes plans to ensure he doesn’t.

These two have a long, painful road to their HEA and will have to learn to forgive and trust each other before they can have any sort of future. I thought the book was well written, but there are some inconsistencies and dropped plot lines – but in fairness, I read an uncorrected eARC and these issues might be resolved prior to publication. I did feel that Faith’s anger was out of proportion considering the secret she kept from him and her actions before and after they married. For quite a bit of the book, I didn’t like her but she was able to redeem herself by the end. The book is very emotional, has cameos with Dehlia and Simon and a very sweet ending.

This is the fourth book in the series, but it could easily be read as a stand alone title – HOWEVER, I would suggest reading the previous book Lord of Night before reading this book to get a better understanding of Simon and Hawk’s relationship.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an Uncorrected eARC that was provided to my by NetGalley and the publisher*