Posted on by Maureen

Murder Between the Lines by Radha Vatsal

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I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Murder Between the Lines is the second book in Radha Vatsal’s Kitty Weeks mystery series. These books take place during World War I- but before the United States has entered the war. Kitty is a young woman who works as a newspaper reporter for the Ladies’ Page of The New York Sentinel. She doesn’t intend to become a detective, but her dedication to discovering the truth compels her to pursue irregularities until victims receive the justice they deserve.

In this book, a routine story about a girls’ boarding school places Kitty back in investigator mode. At the school, Kitty meets a bright girl named Elspeth. They arrange to get together when Elspeth returns home for Christmas vacation. She is excited about something she wants to tell Kitty, but the next morning, Elspeth is found outside- dead. The death is labeled a tragic accident, a side effect of Elspeth’s childhood sleepwalking. Naturally, Kitty is suspicious, and as she probes deeper, she realizes that she has every reason to feel that way. Read more

Posted on by Maureen

Dragons Love Tacos 2 by Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri

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My three girls loved the first Dragons Love Tacos book, so I preordered the sequel here on Amazon a couple of months ago.

Dragons Love Tacos 2 is a picture book written by Adam Rubin and illustrated by Daniel Salmieri.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that dragons like tacos. But what would happen if we ran out of tacos? Well, in this book, you’ll find the answer to that question. Here’s a hint: it involves a time machine. But you’ll have to read the book to find out more than that! Read more

Posted on by Maureen

Nothing Like a Duke by Jane Ashford

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I received a copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Nothing Like a Duke is a historical romance written by Jane Ashford. It is the fourth book in The Duke’s Sons series.

Robert Gresham is one of the younger sons of the Duke of Langford. He has much to offer Society- he is young, handsome, and personable. It is no surprise that he is invited to a house party thrown by his friend’s family. On the way to the house party, the carriage breaks, and Robert finds a stray dog. Because Robert is kind-hearted, he can’t just leave the wretched creature on the side of the road in the pouring rain. So naturally, he arrives at the house party soaking wet, disheveled, and clutching a disreputable dog. This arrival only adds to his charm.

Flora is the daughter of an academic, and she specializes in cuneiform. She seems rather surprised by being included in the house party, and she is even more surprised to see Lord Robert, who she knows from her academic world. Read more

Posted on by Maureen

The Bad Luck Bride by Janna MacGregor

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I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I was very excited about the opportunity to read The Bad Luck Bride because historical romance is one of my favorite genres. I was even more excited when I found out that this was author Janna MacGregor’s debut novel; new authors are always a special treat.

When Alex approaches Claire with a marriage proposal, he actually has an ulterior motive. This is supposed to be the final part of his ultimate revenge plot against the man who was once one of his closest friends.

Claire has developed an unfortunate reputation as a “bad luck bride” due to several broken engagements. She barely knows Alex, but isn’t really in a position to add another broken engagement to the list. Read more

Posted on by Maureen

Never Trust a Pirate by Valerie Bowman

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I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve read many of the books in Valerie Bowman’s Playful Brides series, so I was looking forward to reading the latest entry- Never Trust a Pirate. This book features Rafe Cavendish’s twin brother Cade, who is paired with the mysterious Danielle LaCrosse.

Now, Rafe and Daphne’s book is one of the only books in the series that I haven’t read, but I feel like I “know” them from their secondary role in the other books in the series. That said, I knew very little of Cade, who spent years abroad and was presumed dead.

Danielle is working in the Cavendish house as a maid, but there is more to her story than appears. When she first encounters Cade, she thinks that he is the master of the house, and is relieved to find out that he is a different person- just one who happens to look like her employer! Read more

Posted on by Maureen

Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt by Ben Clanton

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I received a copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt is Ben Clanton’s second graphic novel featuring a delightful friendship between a narwhal and a jellyfish. As the title suggests, much of the plot concerns Narwhal becoming a superhero and Jelly becoming his sidekick. They have a couple of brief adventures in which they try to help another friend fulfill a wish, and they also confront a bully who is calling Jelly “Jelly Dolt” instead of “Jelly Jolt”.   Read more

Posted on by Maureen

Duels & Deception by Cindy Anstey

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I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Duels & Deception is a YA novel written by Cindy Anstey. I thoroughly enjoyed reading her first book- Love, Lies and Spies– so I was looking forward to returning to the Regency era and reading this book.

Miss Lydia Whitfield is an heiress. She does not harbor very many romantic sentiments, and plans to marry the baron whose estate borders her own. This is far from a love match, but aligning her fortune with his ancient name seems to be the best possible outcome. Read more

Posted on by Maureen

The Dark Days Pact by Alison Goodman

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I just finished listening to The Dark Days Pact. This YA novel was written by Alison Goodman, and it is the sequel to The Dark Days Club. For those of you who might be unfamiliar with the series, imagine Regency England- but with demonic creatures who have taken on the guise of everyday citizens and living amongst the general populace. The Dark Days Club is tasked with maintaining order, and eliminating the “Deceivers” who threaten the social order. Right before her Presentation at Court, Lady Helen Wrexhall discovers that her late parents were members of the Dark Days Club, and that she has her own connection to the Club.

The Dark Days Pact picks up several weeks after the events in the first book. Lady Helen is spending the summer in Brighton, residing with her new friends in the Dark Days Club. She plans to spend her days learning more about the Club and preparing for some additional initiation rituals. Unfortunately, the enigmatic Lord Carlston appears disjointed and more mercurial than usual. Lord Selburn shows up in Brighton, still determined to rescue Lady Helen from what he perceives to be an ignominious situation. And then there’s the mysterious journal that Lady Helen has been tasked with recovering. Read more

Posted on by Maureen

Gormless Gods and Hapless Heroes: Tim Baker and the Ancient Curse by Stella Tarakson

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I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Gormless Gods and Hapless Heroes: Tim Baker and the Ancient Curse is a middle grade novel written by Stella Tarakson and illustrated by Nick Roberts.

Tim Baker is a fairly typical elementary school boy, but some of the kids at school tease him by calling him Cinderella because he has to clean his house after school to help his widowed mother. One day, while cleaning up, Tim knocks over an ancient vase- releasing Hercules into the living room. Yes, that Hercules! Read more

Posted on by Maureen

I Dared the Duke by Anna Bennett

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I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher.

I Dared the Duke is a historical romance novel by Anna Bennett. It’s set during the Regency era, which is one of my favorite eras.

Beth Lacey is working as a companion to the Dowager Duchess of Blackshire. Her days are not terribly exciting, but that changes when the Duke of Blackshire decides to take up residence in his London home- the same home where the Dowager Duchess and Beth are currently living. The Dowager Duchess is thrilled to see her precious grandson, but Beth is wary of the grumpy duke with the fierce disposition. Read more