Murder at the Flamingo - A Van Buren and DeLuca Mystery Book One - Rachel McMillan

My Rating

★★★★★ - You have bewitched me, body and soul. (More Info)

About the Book

“Maybe it was time to land straight in the middle of the adventure…”

Hamish DeLuca has spent most of his life trying to hide the anxiety that appears at the most inopportune times -- including during his first real court case as a new lawyer. Determined to rise above his father’s expectations, Hamish runs away to Boston where his cousin, Luca Valari, is opening a fashionable nightclub in Scollay Square. When he meets his cousin's “right hand man” Reggie, Hamish wonders if his dreams for a more normal life might be at hand. 

Regina “Reggie” Van Buren, heir to a New Haven fortune, has fled fine china, small talk, and the man her parents expect her to marry. Determined to make a life as the self-sufficient city girl she’s seen in her favorite Jean Arthur and Katharine Hepburn pictures, Reggie runs away to Boston, where she finds an easy secretarial job with the suave Luca Valari. But as she and Hamish work together in Luca’s glittering world, they discover a darker side to the smashing Flamingo night club.

When a corpse is discovered at the Flamingo, Reggie and Hamish quickly learn there is a vast chasm between the haves and the have-nots in 1937 Boston—and that there’s an underworld that feeds on them both. As Hamish is forced to choose between his conscience and loyalty to his beloved cousin, the unlikely sleuthing duo work to expose a murder before the darkness destroys everything they’ve worked to build. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts

Oh, Hamish...My Hamish...Where have you been all my life? Hamish is my kindred spirit. My best friend. The fictional character that I so desperately want to meet. 

Some (many?) of you know that I have recently been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. This is a new realm for me, one that I fell into, kicking and screaming. I was in denial. I didn't want "treatment". Over the past couple of years (although sometimes it is a daily battle), I have come to terms with the ME I am now. I sought help, and now have a management plan in place. But none of it was easy. 

For Rachel McMillan to take something that she has personally dealt with her whole life, and give it to her HERO...It is one of the most beautiful things you will ever witness. I feel like I not only know Hamish...But I know Ms. McMillan better. She opened her heart and let the words pour onto the page. The description is REAL, the emotion is REAL, the pain and the heartache is REAL. Anxiety...is REAL! 

In addition to the anxiety factor...We have all the makings for an intense and intriguing mystery. A suave Italian nightclub owner, a bad guy on the hunt, and a high class born young lady determined to solve a crime. One of the themes that stood out to me in this story, is the sense of finding home.

"What if home wasn't something you were born into but rather something you found and ultimately chose?"

Murder at the Flamingo is a story full of life and adventure! From the North End of Boston to the nightclub scene of the 1930s...You will want to dance the night away with Reggie and Hamish in this new mystery from Rachel McMillan!

I received a complimentary copy of Murder at the Flamingo. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Coming May 2019

About the Author

Rachel McMillan is a keen history enthusiast and a lifelong bibliophile. When not writing or reading, she can most often be found drinking tea and watching British miniseries. Rachel lives in bustling Toronto, where she works in educational publishing and pursues her passion for art, literature, music and theater. 

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Many thanks to Canva for providing an AMAZING program for me to design all these beautiful graphics. Book covers, publisher/tour logos, and author pictures not owned by me. All other graphics created by Bookworm Mama with public domain photos on Canva unless stated otherwise. 

From this Moment - Elizabeth Camden

My Rating

★★★★ - You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. (More Info)

About the Book

Stella West's artistic talent made her the toast of London, but when her beloved sister dies under mysterious circumstances she abandons everything and heads for Boston. With single-minded determination, she fights to pierce the ring of secrecy surrounding her sister's death. Upon meeting Romulus White, a publisher with connections into every important power circle in the city, she quickly realizes he could be a valuable ally in navigating Boston society.
Romulus has been pursuing Stella for years to create art for his magazine. Her luminous illustrations are the missing piece he needs to propel his magazine to the forefront of the industry, and he will stop at nothing to get her on board.

Famous firsts in American cities: First subway At 6 a.m. 

on Sept. 1, 1897, in Boston, more than 100 passengers 

climbed aboard the first train to travel through a tunnel. 

In its infancy, the first subway line in the United States 

provided passengers a 3 1/2-minute trip and cost 5 cents. 

The tunnel was designated a National Historic 

Landmark in 1964 and is still in service today. Pinterest

Sparks fly the instant they join forces, but Romulus is unsettled by the unwelcome attraction he feels toward Stella, fearing she might be the one woman who could disrupt his hard-won independence. He may have finally met his match in Stella, but is helping her solve the mystery of her sister's death worth the risk to his publishing empire?

My Thoughts

Boston 1897 - Building America's
first subway. Pinterest

Historical romance with the added flare of a mysterious death. Who will be brought to justice for the wrongs committed? 

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. There were so many times that I sat with bated breath waiting to see what was going to happen. And when all the pieces started to come together I exclaimed out loud several times, "WHAT!?!?!?!" (Much to my husband's amusement.) 

Without giving away any spoilers...I just need to say that I may have wanted to purse whomp SEVERAL of the characters along the way. But I love how Elizabeth Camden portrays the human nature. We are flawed creatures and we must constantly grow and learn and change. Large egos, pig-headedness, battles of wills, forgiveness, and passion can all be found in the relationships between our characters. 

Plagued with the nightmares of the past, Stella is relentless to find the answers she needs. Stella's commitment to her family is admirable. However, the way she goes about getting stuff done....Is not wholly recommended.  

Filled with danger and intrigue, mysterious men and imposters, From this Moment will take you back to one of the most memorable times in our country's history. Above all we are reminded that the Lord is always with us, protecting us and guiding us. 

This review is based on the audiobook edition of From this Moment which I borrowed from my local library. I did receive a complimentary PRINT copy of From this Moment. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

An explosion at the corner of Tremont and Boylston during the construction of the Tremont Street Subway on March 4, 1897. Pinterest

About the Author

Elizabeth Camden is a research librarian at a small college in central Florida. Her novels have won the coveted RITA and Christy Awards. She has published several articles for academic publications and is the author of four nonfiction history books. Her ongoing fascination with history and love of literature have led her to write inspirational fiction. Elizabeth lives with her husband near Orlando, Florida.

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Many thanks to Canva for providing an AMAZING program for me to design all these beautiful graphics. Book covers, publisher/tour logos, author pictures, etc. are not owned by me. All other graphics created by Bookworm Mama with public domain photos on Canva unless stated otherwise.

The Illusionist's Apprentice + Giveaway - Kristy Cambron

My Rating

★★★★★ - You have bewitched me, body and soul. (More Info)

About the Book

Harry Houdini’s one-time apprentice holds fantastic secrets about the greatest illusionist in the world. But someone wants to claim them . . . or silence her before she can reveal them on her own.

Boston, 1926— Jenny “Wren” Lockhart is a bold eccentric—even for a female vaudevillian. As notorious for her inherited wealth and gentleman’s dress as she is for her unsavory upbringing in the back halls of a vaudeville theater, Wren lives in a world that challenges all manner of conventions.

In the months following Houdini’s death, Wren is drawn into a web of mystery surrounding a spiritualist by the name of Horace Stapleton, a man defamed by Houdini’s ardent debunking of fraudulent mystics in the years leading up to his death. But in a public illusion that goes terribly wrong, one man is dead and another stands charged with his murder. Though he’s known as one of her teacher’s greatest critics, Wren must decide to become the one thing she never wanted to be: Stapleton’s defender.

Forced to team up with the newly formed FBI, Wren races against time and an unknown enemy, all to prove the innocence of a hated man. In a world of illusion, of the vaudeville halls that showcase the flamboyant and the strange, Wren’s carefully constructed world threatens to collapse around her. Layered with mystery, illusion, and the artistry of the Jazz Age’s bygone vaudeville era, The Illusionist’s Apprentice is a journey through love and loss and the underpinnings of faith on each life’s stage. (From Kristy's website)

My Thoughts

An incredible story brimming with suspense, illusion, questions, romance, sacrifice, and redemption. Spanning the course of Wren's life, we jump around quite a bit as her story and character unfolds, but it is easy to follow. We also get to see the world through a few different viewpoints which helps to draw your heart into the world of vaudeville.

LOVE - LOVE - LOVE Elliot. Mmmhmmm! From 1 to 5 on the swoony scale - 4.5 for SURE! He is protective and gentle, yet firm and carries a strength that Wren needs, although she denies it. Wren is such an incredible person. I fell in love with her from chapter one. With her eccentric style and lifestyle, a performer, giving the public the illusion of grandeur...when in reality, her lifestyle is quite simple. A woman with a past that tears at her soul, longing for freedom, but not knowing where to turn. When Agent Elliot Matthews bullies his way on to her stage, her life takes a dramatic turn and the impossible becomes possible.

Wren struggles to forgive herself for something in her past that she has been led to believe is her fault. We follow her on a journey of realization that forgiveness is not just an illusion, but something very real. That it penetrates the very heart and soul of who we are. It shapes and molds us. And that we can be free if we choose to be. But if we spend too long believing in an illusion, it will distort our view of reality.

"You can be free if you want to. But it's your choice." 

- Kristy Cambron The Illusionist's Apprentice

So, embrace the truth. Let Papa God open your eyes to see yourself as He created you. To see your gifts, your strengths, and the forgiveness that He has poured out on you. Take a step back in time to the Jazz Age. Step into the world of Harry Houdini and Wren Lockhart in the center of vaudeville. Let them dazzle you with a story of truth, forgiveness...and illusion.  

I received a complimentary copy of The Illusionist's Apprentice through BookLook Bloggers and NetGalley. I also won a copy of this book in a giveaway. Which is why I am honored to be able to bless one of my readers with one of these copies. Please see below for giveaway details. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

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About the Author

KRISTY CAMBRON has a background in art and design, but she fancies life as a vintage-inspired storyteller. She is the bestselling author of The Ringmaster’s Wife, named to Publishers Weekly Spring 2016 Religion & Spirituality TOP 10. Her novels have been named to Library Journal Reviews’ Best Books and RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards Best lists for 2014 & 2015, and received a 2015 INSPY Awards nomination for best debut novel. The Illusionist’s Apprentice (HarperCollins, 2017) is her fourth novel. Her first Bible study DVD and study guides, The Verse Mapping series, will release in 2018.

Kristy holds a degree in Art History from Indiana University, and has 15 years experience in education and leadership development for a Fortune-100 Corporation. She loves storytelling from the stage and travels to speak about her love for Bible Verse Mapping throughout the year. Kristy lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons, where she can probably be bribed with a coconut mocha latte and a good read.

The last and most important thing? Jesus Christ is everything — let her tell you about Him sometime.

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Giveaway!!!

I was blessed to win a print copy of The Illusionist's Apprentice from Kristy's book launch party. Which is why I am honored to be able to bless one of YOU with the extra copy I now have. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below. Please see my Disclosures and Policies page for full details. Open to U.S. & Canada. Void where prohibited by law. 

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When Tides Turn - Waves of Freedom Book 3 - Sarah Sundin

My Rating

★★★★★ - You have bewitched me, body and soul. (More Info)

From the Back of the Book

Tess Beaumont is tired of being thought of as just a pretty face. Eager to do her part for the war effort, she joins the Navy's newly established WAVES program for women. Perhaps there she can convince people that there is more to her than meets the eye.

Lt. Dan Avery has been using his skills in the fight against German U-boats and hoping to make admiral. The last thing he wants to see on his radar is a girl like Tess. Convinced that romance will interfere with his goals, Dan is determined to stay the course, no matter how intriguing a distraction Tess is.

But love, like war, is unpredictable. When Dan is shipped out at the peak of the Battle of the Atlantic, he finds himself torn between his lifelong career goals and his desire to help the beguiling Tess root out a possible spy on shore. Could this fun-loving glamour girl really be the one?

My Thoughts

Every book in this series has been spectacular! Full of intrigue and drama, faith and freedom, handsome officers and daring heroines, and not to mention bursting with history! I have learned so much about the war of the Atlantic during World War II through these books. Not only does Sarah include REAL events and REAL people in these books, it inspires me to do research of my own. To delve into the facts and history that inspired these stories. 

As the Waves of Freedom series comes to a close, Tess and Dan completely steal the show with their strained relationship and beautiful, er, practical? romance. Tess is full of life, color, and longs to be seen for who she is beneath the pretty face. Dan, has a one track mind focused on his career...That is, until his heart cries out for something more. Both Tess and Dan must learn to trust God to guide their paths, to find who they are in Him, individually. Once they surrender to God's plan, it is amazing to watch the events unfold. 

While the books in this series can stand alone, you will want to begin with book one to enjoy and appreciate the full effect of the storyline. Plus, they are simply amazing books. All three have made it on my top reads list!

Get ready for one last amazing ride in the Waves of Freedom Series. And do not despair...For Sarah has a new WWII series she is working on titled, Sunrise at Normandy. The first book, The Sea Before us will be released Spring 2018.

I received a complimentary copy of When Tides Turn from the publishers (Revell) through Radiant Lit and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

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About the Author

Sarah Sundin is the author of Through Waters Deep and Anchor in the Storm, as well as the Wings of the Nightingale and the Wings of Glory series. A graduate of UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy, she works on-call as a hospital pharmacist. During WWII, her grandfather served as a pharmacist’s mate (medic) in the Navy, and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force. Sarah lives in California.

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The Hesitant Heiress - The Everstone Chronicles Book 1 - Dawn Crandall

Amaryllis Brigham has been full of fear and full of guilt, but when one man enters her life, everything changes. Faced with a decision that will shape the rest of the future, will she be able to let go and follow her heart? Or will she follow practicality at the expense of true love?

"He alone had that amazing effect on me, making me more courageous than I ever thought I could be." 

Dawn Crandall, The Hesitant Heiress

Page 153

From the Back of the Book

After being unjustly expelled from the Boston Conservatory of Music, Amaryllis Brigham sees her dreams of founding a music academy in her hometown of Seattle, Washington, disappearing before her very