Book Reviews Archives - Historical Bookworm

January 6, 2024December 28, 2023

Review: The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater by Jamie Jo Wright

THE BOOK

It promises beauty but steals life instead. Will the ghosts of Barlowe Theater entomb them all?

Barlowe Theater stole the life of Greta Mercy’s eldest brother during its construction. Now in 1915, the completed theater appears every bit as deadly. When Greta’s younger brother goes missing after breaking into the building, Greta engages the assistance of a local police officer to help her unveil the already ghostly secrets of the theater. But when help comes from an unlikely source, Greta decides that to save her family she must uncover the evil that haunts the theater and put its threat to rest.

Decades later, Kit Boyd’s best friend vanishes during a ghost walk at the Barlowe Theater, and old stories of mysterious disappearances and ghoulish happenings are revived. Then television ghost-hunting host and skeptic Evan Fisher joins Kit in the quest to identify the truth behind the theater’s history. Kit reluctantly agrees to work with him in hopes of finding her missing friend. As the theater’s curse unravels Kit’s life, she is determined to put an end to the evil that has marked the theater and their hometown for the last century.

THE REVIEW

Hello everyone who is listening, my name is Katie and I’m from Paperbacks and Ponytails on YouTube. Today I’m sharing my thoughts on The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater by Jaime Jo Wright, and again thank you to Baker Publishing for sending me a copy of this book to read and share my thoughts with you.

I said in my written review that this book was a can’t put down, but shouldn’t be read at night thrilling read from the queen of creepy goodness.

In this book, we are following dual timelines that are connected through family secrets, mystery, and intrigue. In the modern timeline, we are following Kit and her best friend Madison–who wants to save the Barlowe Theater from the clutches of her grandfather who wants to tear it down. So Madison hires a ghost-hunting TV show to bring publicity to the theater. But soon things get turned upside down and Madison is discovered missing. Ghost-hunting skeptic Evan and Kit must work together to uncover what happened.

In the past timeline during the early 1900s, we follow Greta who is from the poorest part of town. She is friends with a few of the upper crust of society. Her friends take her to the Barlowe Theater which is newly built. And during the show at the theater Greta witnesses a baby being thrown from the balcony by a woman in white. But there is no baby to be found and she is presumed to be insane. Along with money troubles, her older brother is killed during the construction of the Theater, and now another brother goes missing with his friends in the Barlowe Theater. These boys are never seen coming back out. What mysteries lie in wait at Barlowe Theater?

I loved this new book by Jaime Jo! It was the perfect amount of creepy and entertaining fun. I really loved both timelines. The historical timeline is usually my favorite in dual-timeline books, which is the case in this book. I was so invested in the characters and what was going to happen to them. I loved both Greta and Kit and couldn’t wait to turn the next page. I dropped everything else to read this book. I mentioned that this book shouldn’t be read at night, it’s not over the top creepy but when you’re reading it at 1 am and you get to the point in a book where it’s a dark and creepy atmosphere and something grabs a character?

You know it’s time to either read quickly or go to bed and wait until morning to finish. It was a five-star, compelling, and highly entertaining read that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. A must read for historical mystery lovers.

Thank you to the Historical Bookworm Show for having me on their podcast to talk about The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater by Jaime Jo Wright.

THE AUTHOR

Jaime Jo Wright (JaimeWrightBooks.com) is the author of ten novels, including Christy Award and Daphne du Maurier Award-winner The House on Foster Hill and Carol Award winner The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond. She’s also a two-time Christy Award finalist, as well as the ECPA bestselling author of The Vanishing at Castle Moreau and two Publishers Weekly bestselling novellas. Jaime lives in Wisconsin with her family and felines.

Disclaimer: The publisher offered a complimentary copy of this book. The review was given freely, without payment. All views expressed are only the honest opinion of a member of the Historical Bookworm Review Team.

July 12, 2023

Remember Me by Tracie Peterson

The audio version of this review was first shared in Episode 66:A Bookchat about After the Shadows with Amanda Cabot & a Review of Remember Me by Tracie Peterson

The Book

From the Yukon to Seattle, the hope of a new beginning waits just around the corner.

Addie Bryant is haunted by her past of heartbreak and betrayal. After her beau, Isaac Hanson, left the Yukon, she made a vow to wait for him. When she’s sold to a brothel owner after the death of her father, Addie manages to escape with the hope that she can forever hide her past and the belief that she will never have the future she’s always dreamed of.

Years later, Addie has found peace in her new life as a photographer, training Camera Girls to operate and sell the Brownie camera. During the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Expo in Seattle, Addie is reunited with Isaac, but after the path her life has taken, she’s afraid to expose the ugliness of her former life and to move toward the future they had pledged to each other.

When her past catches up with her, Addie must decide whether to run or to stay and face her wounds in order to embrace her life, her future, and her hope in God.

The Review

Remember Me is a moving tale of tragic upbringing, healing, and redeeming love. With the stunning backdrop of Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Expo in Seattle, Tracie Peterson explores the question of why God allows horrible things to happen to good people. The question and the answer are expertly woven into her story that keeps the reader rooting for Addie, the heroine, who is attempting to outrun a bitter and tragic past . . . even if it means leaving behind the man she has loved since her girlhood.

With a hero’s unconditional love, a mother figure’s guiding hand, and the Lord’s redeeming love, Addie finds freedom in Christ to release the ugliness of a past that had been thrust upon her and embrace a future filled with hope and love.

My Rating: FIVE STARS! Action-packed! Great world building! Haunting! Happily Ever After! Page-turner! Romantic! Tear-jerker! Tragic! Unpredictable! Wonderful characters! Original!

Remember Me is a story that I will remember for years to come. If you love historical fiction rich in setting and voice, check out Tracie Peterson’s book today! Happy Reading, Friends!

The Author

Tracie Peterson is the award-winning author of over 100 novels, both historical and contemporary. Her avid research resonates in her many bestselling series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana. Visit www.traciepeterson.com to learn more. Learn more about Tracie at TraciePeterson.com.

REVIEWED BY

Grace Hitchcock is the award-winning author of multiple historical novels and novellas. She holds a Masters in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in History. Grace lives in the New Orleans area with her husband, Dakota, sons, and daughter. Connect with her online at GraceHitchcockBooks.com.

June 25, 2023June 25, 2023

Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer

The audio version of this review was first shared in Episode 65: A Bookchat about The Metropolitan Affair with Jocelyn Green & a Review of Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer.

The Book

Beauty has been nothing but a curse to Penelope Snow. When she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the west, she hides her figure beneath shapeless dresses and keeps her head down. But she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters—and her jealous mistress plotting her demise.

After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from females and is rarely disappointed. So when a young woman found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather’s ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her.

With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus investigates a robbery case tied to Penelope’s old acting troupe. The evidence points to her guilt, but Titus’s heart divines a different truth—one that might just get Penelope killed.

An enchanting Western take on the classic Snow White fairy tale, Fairest of Heart will sweep you away from once upon a time to happily ever after.

The Review

I just finished reading Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer and I absolutely loved it. This is a book that gets you tight in the throat in a good way.

The spirit of Snow White is so well captivated in sweet, strong Penelope that I found myself connecting with her on an emotional level. True, she is nearly angelic, but Karen’s portrayal of her goodness is so authentic one could hardly claim it contrived, at least—that is— if you know your Bible. Why, is this you ask? More than her personality or characteristics, what makes Penelope a princess is her kind and gentle spirit of Godly love and selflessness.

As for the Seven Dwarfs, that is seven retired ranch hands, Doc had me missing my childhood pastor while sweet Rowdy (who portrays Dopey from Disney’s classic version) had me wanting to dive into the pages and wrap my arms around him. And did I mention Grumpy. I mean Jeb. Nothing like a cantankerous, loving old man to make you want to watch a John Wayne movie.

As for the hero—Titus Kingsley (I love that name!) is a hardened man though not so much he treats Penelope, or anyone else, like a doormat. He is wise when confronted with Narcissa—the beautiful actress extraordinaire. I really enjoyed reading about a heroic man who was flawed yet didn’t turn into a complete numbskull in the face of a seductress like the female villain. This is by far, my favorite retelling of Snow White.

If you are feeling reminiscent for the old Disney we grew up on but want something wholesome and endearing with a Western spin, pick up a copy of Karen Witemeyer’s Fairest of heart!

The Author

For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes.

Voted #1 Readers’ Favorite Christian Historical Author in 2023 by Family Fiction Magazine, Karen is a multiple award-winning author and a firm believer in the power of happy endings.

She is an avid cross-stitcher, tea drinker, and gospel hymn singer who makes her home in Abilene, TX with her heroic husband who vanquishes laundry dragons and dirty dish villains whenever she’s on deadline.

Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

June 13, 2023June 13, 2023

The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green

The audio version of this review was first shared in Episode 64: A Bookchat about Remember Me with Tracie Peterson & a Review of The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green

The Book

In 1942, an impulsive promise to her brother before he goes off to the European front puts Avis Montgomery in the unlikely position of head librarian in small-town Maine. Though she has never been much of a reader, when wartime needs threaten to close the library, she invents a book club to keep its doors open. The women she convinces to attend the first meeting couldn’t be more different–a wealthy spinster determined to aid the war effort, an exhausted mother looking for a fresh start, and a determined young war worker.

At first, the struggles of the home front are all the club members have in common, but over time, the books they choose become more than an escape from the hardships of life and the fear of the U-boat battles that rage just past their shores. As the women face personal challenges and band together in the face of danger, they find they have more in common than they think. But when their growing friendships are tested by secrets of the past and present, they must decide whether depending on each other is worth the cost.

The Review

World War II, a plethora of wonderful books, and a diverse cast of characters make up the latest book from Amy Lynn Green known as The Blackout Book Club. Each chapter features the daily life and sometimes history of one of four main characters. Avis is the first one we meet, and she’s been thrust into the role of librarian on behalf of her brother who is enlisting in the war.

We also meet Martina and Ginny, two women who are as different as night and day, but each with their own unique struggles.

Louise is the owner of the library, though she does not intend for it to be open much longer. Avis comes up with the idea of the book club as a way to save it from being turned into a nursery school.

These four women are the founding members of The Blackout Book Club, and as time goes on, they slowly start adding more townspeople to their ranks. The “minutes” are taken at each meeting, and these are a fun glimpse into the personality of whoever steps into the roll of secretary.

As time goes by, each woman must deal with the hand life has dealt them, all while trying to do their part for the war effort and praying that all their men will return home.

For fans of World War II fiction, this is a different take on the history of that era. There is mention of victory gardens, women working in factories, and men taking on roles that would have ordinarily made them unfit for traditional military duty. Fans of Christian fiction will be disappointed not to find much faith-based content throughout, though it is a clean read.

The Author

Amy Lynn Green is a lifelong lover of books, history, and library cards. She worked in publishing for six years before writing her first historical fiction novel. She and her husband live in Minnesota, where she teaches virtual classes on marketing at writer’s conferences, engages with book clubs, and regularly encourages established and aspiring authors in their publication journeys. Connect with her on Facebook or Instagram (@amygreenbooks), or sign up for her newsletter at amygreenbooks.com to get quarterly emails filled with bookish fun.

You can read reviews by Christy by clicking here. Find Christy Janes on Instagram @blissbooksandjewels, Twitter @Blissbooksandj1, Facebook, and her website BlissBooksAndJewels.com

Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

May 29, 2023May 29, 2023

A Bookchat about The All-American with Susie Finkbeiner & a Review of Where the Last Rose Blooms by Ashley Clark

Susie Finkbeiner joins us for a chat about her beloved state of Michigan, what draws her to write stories set in the 50s and 60s, and her latest release The All-American. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book! Widow Minerva Jenkins has lived alone in her small mountain home for 40 years where she has guarded her husband’s deathbed request. When a young reporter comes calling and inquires about a rumored box of gold on her property, an unlikely friendship forms. Will she go to her grave with her husband’s secret, or will the weight of it be the death of her?

For today’s Pinch of the Past we are looking at some little-known facts about sequences. Did you know that Egyptomania thrust sequences into the fashion spotlight in the 1920s? For more, listen to the episode.

Today’s Bookworm Review is bought to you by Angela Bell. “Where the Last Rose Blooms by Ashley Clark is everything I’d hoped it would be. Poignant. Beautiful. With the warmth and southern charm of my Granny’s hand-stitched quilt.” (Full review here.)

Connect with Susie Finkbeiner: Facebook, BookBub, Twitter, Goodreads, Instagram, YouTube, her Newsletter, and Amazon.

May 29, 2023May 29, 2023

Where the Last Rose Blooms by Ashley Clark

The audio version of this review was first shared in Episode 63: A Bookchat about The All-American with Susie Finkbeiner & a Review of Where the Last Rose Blooms by Ashley Clark

THE BOOK

Alice runs a New Orleans flower shop alongside her aunt, but thoughts of her mother, who went missing during Hurricane Katrina, are never far from her mind. After getting off on the wrong foot with a handsome yet irritating man who comes to her shop, Alice soon realizes their worlds overlap—and the answers they both seek can be found in the same place.

In 1861 Charleston, Clara is known to be a rule follower—but the war has changed her. Unbeknownst to her father, who is heavily involved with the Confederacy, she is an abolitionist and is prepared to sacrifice everything for the cause. With assistance from a dashing Union spy, she attempts to help an enslaved woman reunite with her daughter. But things go very wrong when Clara agrees to aid the Northern cause by ferrying secret information about her father’s associates.

Faced with the unknown, both women will have to dig deep to let their courage bloom.

THE REVIEW

In 2021, I discovered The Heirloom Secrets series and fell in love with Ashley Clark’s writing. Her stories ministered to my heart in a way I hadn’t experienced with a series before, and her characters stayed with me long after I turned the final page. Both The Dress Shop on King Street and Paint and Nectar made it onto my Favorite Reads of 2021 list, so needless to say, I had high expectations going into book three. As a reader, there’s nothing quite so disappointing as falling in love with a series only to have the final book fall flat.

Dear reader, I’m ever so pleased to report that Ashley Clark stuck the landing!

Where the Last Rose Blooms is everything I’d hoped it would be. Poignant. Beautiful. With the warmth and southern charm of my Granny’s hand-stitched quilt. Clark’s pacing is masterful, perfectly balancing intense scenes with moments of levity. Once again, she’s created a diverse cast of characters and tackled relatable issues with authenticity and respect. I could see myself in Lucy’s battle with anxiety, depression, and grief. I could feel her pain, and more importantly, I could feel my hopes rising as Lucy found new hope in the midst of pain. God spoke to me through the pages of this book. He used the story to help me see my own in a new way and left me with comforting truths to ponder long after The End.

Ashley Clark’s The Heirloom Secrets series is one I will treasure and gush about for years to come. One I will read again when I need my hope restored or simply want to visit some old friends.

If you’re new to Christian fiction, read this series. If you’ve been reading Christian fiction since Love Came Softly, read this series. If you’ve never read Christian fiction or have a negative impression of the genre, please, read this series. It is not one to be missed!

THE AUTHOR

Ashley Clark is the acclaimed novelist of The Heirloom Secrets Series. She writes women’s fiction set in the South, and her stories are filled with faith, sweet romance, and lots of family secrets. She loves all things vintage and the almost-forgotten stories of the past. Ashley finds her writing interests influenced by the spaces shared between femininity + strength, loss + legacy, and beauty + memory. She is an English adjunct instructor, a wife and homeschool mama, and she adores her adopted senior Cocker Spaniel.

Read more about Ashley on her website. (www.ashleyclarkbooks.com)

Reviewed by Angela Bell.

Disclaimer: The author offered a complimentary copy of this book. The review was given freely, without payment. All views expressed are only the honest opinion of a member of the Historical Bookworm Review Team.

May 13, 2023May 13, 2023

Yesterday’s Tides by Roseanna M. White

The audio version of this review was first shared in Episode 62: A Bookchat about Code Name Edelweiss with Stephanie Landsem & a Review of Yesterday’s Tides by Roseanna M. White.

THE BOOK

In two world wars, intelligence and counterintelligence, prejudice, and self-sacrifice collide across two generations

In 1942, Evie Farrow is used to life on Ocracoke Island, where every day is the same–until the German U-boats haunting their waters begin to wreak havoc. And when special agent Sterling Bertrand is washed ashore at Evie’s inn, her life is turned upside down. While Sterling’s injuries keep him inn-bound for weeks, making him even more anxious about the SS officer he’s tracking, he becomes increasingly intrigued by Evie, who seems to be hiding secrets of her own.

Decades earlier, in 1914, Englishman Remington Culbreth arrives at the Ocracoke Inn for the summer, never expecting to fall in love with Louisa Adair, the innkeeper’s daughter. But when war breaks out in Europe, their relationship is put in jeopardy and may not survive what lies ahead for them.

As the ripples from the Great War rock Evie and Sterling’s lives in World War II, it seems yesterday’s tides may sweep them all into danger again today.

THE REVIEW

Emotional. Poignant. Riveting. “Yesterday’s Tides” is a sweeping historical drama, brimming with espionage and romance! Thoroughly researched and beautifully crafted, this novel is one to be savored. One enlivened by a cast of diverse characters who move the heart and enriched by profound spiritual themes that uplift the soul.

For the longtime fan of Roseanna M. White, “Yesterday’s Tides” is a must read, filled with delightful cameos by beloved characters from series past. For the reader who’s yet to pick up one of White’s novels, “Yesterday’s Tides” serves as a marvelous introduction to her work, sure to result in the binge-reading of her phenomenal backlist.

If you enjoy period dramas set in the First and Second World Wars, “Yesterday’s Tides” is sure to be your cup of tea!

THE AUTHOR

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award-nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. She pens her novels beneath her Betsy Ross flag, with her Jane Austen action figure watching over her. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two children, editing and designing, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of numerous novels, ranging from biblical fiction to American-set romances to Edwardian British series. Roseanna lives with her family in West Virginia.

Read more about Roseanna at her website. (www.roseannamwhite.com.)

Reviewed by

Review by ECPA bestselling author Angela Bell is a 21st century lady with 19th century sensibilities. Her activities consist of reading voraciously, drinking copious amounts of tea, and writing letters with a fountain pen. Learn more about her at AuthorAngelaBell.com

May 1, 2023May 1, 2023

The Thief of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep

The audio version of this review was first shared in Episode 61: A Bookchat about The Sound of Light with Sarah Sundin & a Review of The Thief of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep.

THE BOOK

Constable Jackson Forge intends to make the world safer, or at least the streets of Victorian London. But that’s Kit Turner’s domain, a swindler who runs a crew that acquires money the old-fashioned way—conning the rich to give to the poor. When a local cab driver goes missing, Jackson is tasked with finding the man, and the only way to do that is by enlisting Kit’s help. If Jackson doesn’t find the cabby, he’ll be fired. If Kit doesn’t help Jackson, he’ll arrest her for thievery. Yet neither of them realize those are the least of their problems.

THE REVIEW

“The Thief of Blackfriars Lane” by Michelle Griep is a rollicking adventure from beginning to end! With edge-of-your-seat action and Dickensian flair, Griep has created a fun story that will transport readers to the Victorian Era.

On the streets of London, Griep introduces us to dynamic duo Kit Turner and Jackson Forge. Upon making their acquaintance, I quickly realized I’d follow this savvy heroine and earnest hero just about anywhere. And follow them I did—through darkened alleys, underground railways, and slimy sewers, oh my! When I wasn’t reaching for my smelling salts, I was laughing at Kit and Jackson’s witty banter and thoroughly enjoying the colorful cast of quirky side-characters.

If you fancy a fast-paced historical romance brimming with humor and mystery, “The Thief of Blackfriars Lane” is sure to be your cup of tea!

THE AUTHOR

Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She is the Christy Award-winning author of historical romances: A Tale of Two Hearts, The Captured Bride, The Innkeeper’s Daughter, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, The Captive Heart, Brentwood’s Ward, A Heart Deceived, and Gallimore, but also leaped the historical fence into the realm of contemporary with the zany romantic mystery Out of the Frying Pan.

Read more about Michelle at her website. (www.michellegriep.com)

Follow the link to listen to the full interview of A Book-chat about The Bride of Blackfriar’s Lane with Michelle Griep.

April 22, 2023April 22, 2023

The Premonition at Withers Farm by Jaime Jo Wright

The audio version of this review was first shared in A Bookchat about Forged in Love with Mary Connealy & a Review of Premonition at Withers Farm by Jamie Jo Wright

THE BOOK

In 1910 Michigan, Perliett Van Hilton is a self-proclaimed rural healer, leaving the local doctor convinced she practices quackery. It doesn’t help that her mother is a spiritualist who regularly offers her services to connect the living with their dearly departed. But when Perliett is targeted by a superstitious killer, she must rely on both the local doctor and an intriguing newcomer for assistance.

In the present day, Molly Wasziak’s life has not gone the way she dreamed. Facing depression after several miscarriages, Molly is adapting to her husband’s purchase of a peculiar old farm. A search for a family tree pulls Molly deep into a century-old murder case and a web of deception, all made more mysterious by the disturbing shadows and sounds inside the farmhouse.

Perliett fights for her life, and Molly seeks renewed purpose for hers as she uncovers the records of the dead. Will their voices be heard, or will time forever silence their truths?

THE REVIEW

The Mistress of the Macabre is BACK and better than ever!

If “The Premonition at Withers Farm” doesn’t secure Jaime Jo Wright her second Christy Award, I’ll eat my hat! Okay, maybe not my hat—because it’s cute and vintage and straw seems rather tough to chew—but I’d certainly throw said hat across the room in shock and dismay.

Why, you ask? I shall tell you, dear reader.

“The Premonition at Withers Farm” showcases Wright’s distinctive style and masterful storytelling at its BEST! Her atmospheric prose envelope the imagination like an eerie mist, and within a few lines, the reader is utterly lost in the story. The gothic tone conjures goosebumps at every turn, and the enthralling mystery makes it nigh on impossible to stop turning pages. Wright’s characters feel like real, complex, vulnerable people, and she’s not afraid to let them ask tough questions about life and faith. As a result, the spiritual themes of this novel are powerful, poignant, and boldly thought-provoking.

If you’re obsessed with true crime and love gothic fiction, you’re sure to agree that “The Premonition at Withers Farm” is a haunting read!

THE AUTHOR

Jaime Jo Wright is the author of six novels, including Christy Award winner The House on Foster Hill and Carol Award winner The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond. She’s also the Publishers Weekly and ECPA bestselling author of two novellas. Jaime lives in Wisconsin with her cat named Foo; her husband, Cap’n Hook; and their littles, Peter Pan and CoCo.

Read more about Jaime at her website. (www.jaimewrightbooks.com)

Review by ECPA bestselling author Angela Bell is a 21st century lady with 19th century sensibilities. Her activities consist of reading voraciously, drinking copious amounts of tea, and writing letters with a fountain pen. Learn more about her at AuthorAngelaBell.com

March 22, 2023March 22, 2023

The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham

The audio version of this review can be found on Episode 58: A Bookchat about Daughter of Eden with Jill Eileen Smith & a Review of The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham.

THE BOOK

Will the magic of Christmas bring these two newlyweds closer together, or will the ghosts of the past lead them into a destructive discovery from which not even a Dickens’s Christmas can save them?

Mistletoe is beautiful and dangerous, much like the woman from Lord Frederick’s Percy’s past, so when he turns over a new leaf and arranges to marry for his estate, instead of his heart, he never expects the wrong bride to be the right choice. Gracelynn Ferguson never expected to take her elder sister’s place as a Christmas bride, but when she’s thrust into the choice, she will trust in her faithful novels and overactive imagination to help her not only win Frederick’s heart but also to solve the murder mystery of Havensbrook Hall before the ghosts from Frederick’s past ruin her fairytale future.

THE REVIEW

If there’s one thing Pepper Basham knows, it’s how to write a swoony romance mixed with a heavy dose of witty humor and in this book’s case, even a helping of mystery. Basham’s previous books have always consisted of standout characters a reader can’t resist rooting and falling for. In The Mistletoe Countess, Basham stays true to her loyal followers. We meet the brooding Frederick who is prepared for a dull life of loveless matrimony to save his estate, but then comes Grace bouncing in to inadvertently flip his life upside down. And when her sleuthing imagination takes hold of a real mystery at Havensbrook Hall, hijinks and humor mix splendidly with danger as they work to become a loving marital team and solve a murder.

Readers familiar with Basham will note her trademark steaminess, sweet but also on the very warm side. There are several mentions of what God is doing in a character’s life and the way it changes their thought processes and leads them to accept certain pasts and future realities. This is all presented in an organic way and flows seamlessly into the story. As always, Basham’s plots are solid, but her characters tend to steal the show to make her books truly memorable.

Although this book takes place over the Christmas season, it’s a book that would definitely be enjoyed year around.

THE AUTHOR

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her stories. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the wife of a fantastic pastor, mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus. Her nineteenth novel, Authentically Izzy, debuts in November with Thomas Nelson. She loves connecting with readers and other authors through social media outlets like Facebook & Instagram.