Review: A LACK OF TEMPERANCE (A Hattie Davish Mystery) by Anna Loan-Wilsey

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From Anna Loan-Wilsey comes the first installment of a new historical mystery series featuring Hattie Davish, a traveling secretary who arrives in a small Ozark town only to discover her new employer has disappeared…

On the eve of the heated presidential election of 1892, Miss Hattie Davish arrives in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, a scenic resort town where those without the scent of whiskey on their breath have the plight of temperance on their tongues. Summoned for her services as a private secretary, Hattie is looking forward to exploring the hills, indulging her penchant for botany -- and getting to know the town’s handsome doctor. But it’s hard to get her job done with her employer nowhere to be found…

An army of unassuming women wielding hatchets have descended on the quiet Ozark village, destroying every saloon in their path -- and leaving more than a few enemies in their wake. So when their beloved leader, Mother Trevelyan, is murdered, it’s easy to point fingers. Now that she’s working for a dead woman, Hattie turns to her trusty typewriter to get to the truth. And as she follows a trail of cryptic death threats, she’ll come face to face with a killer far more dangerous than the Demon Rum…

A LACK OF TEMPERANCE was a delightful read, and I'm not just saying that because I adore Eureka Springs. :) I love Hattie Davish as the amateur sleuth in this historical mystery. She is a savvy Victorian career woman working as a secretary to some very important and influential people. 

In November of 1892, Hattie's work takes her to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, a resort town famous for its healing mineral springs. It's also the meeting place for the American Women's Temperance Coalition, a group passionate about banning the sale of alcohol. Hattie's been hired to be the personal secretary for the AWTC's leader, a Mrs. Edwina Trevelyan. Not long after she arrives, Hattie's new boss is murdered, and she's not convinced the police have the right suspect in custody. With a little help from the town's gorgeous (and single) doctor, Hattie launches an investigation of her own.

Like I said before, I love visiting Eureka Springs, so I was thrilled to step back in time and see what it was like when it was new. The author's descriptions of the hotels, steep mountain roads and natural springs were spot on. I could easily picture myself there.

The mystery itself was intriguing, and I enjoyed how it tied in with the temperance movement of that time period. I know that Carrie Nation was a radical member of this movement, often resorting to violence (carrying around a hatchet) to get her point across, and that she had a home in Eureka Springs in her later years. Edwina Trevelyan's character reminded me very much of Carrie Nation, so it's clear the author did her research for this book.

A LACK OF TEMPERANCE is the first book in the Hattie Davish Mystery series, and I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment!

Waiting On Wednesday: IN THE PLEASURE GROOVE: LOVE, DEATH, AND DURAN DURAN

By John Taylor

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John Taylor, Duran Duran’s co-founder, takes the reader on a wild ride through his life. From the eighties through today, from Rio to All You Need is Now, John writes about the music, the parties, and the MTV videos that made millions swoon.

With Duran Duran, John Taylor has created some of the greatest music of our time. From the disco dazzle of debut single ‘Planet Earth’ right up to their latest number one album, All You Need is Now, Duran Duran has always had the power to sweep the world onto its feet.

It’s been a ride – and for John in particular, the ride has been wild, thrilling... and dangerous. Now, for the first time, he tells his incredible story. A tale of dreams fulfilled, lessons learned and demons conquered.

A shy only child, Nigel John Taylor wasn’t an obvious candidate for pop stardom and frenzied girl panic. But when he ditched his first name and picked up a bass guitar, everything changed. John Formed Duran Duran with his friend Nick Rhodes in the summer of 1978, and they were soon joined by Roger Taylor, then Andy Taylor and finally Simon Le Bon. Together they were an immediate, massive global success story, their pictures on millions of walls, every single a worldwide hit.

In his frank, compelling autobiography, John recounts the highs –hanging out with icons like Bowie, Warhol and even James Bond; dating Vogue models and driving fast cars – all the while playing hard with the band he loved. But there were tough battles ahead – troubles that brought him to the brink of self-destruction – before turning his life around.

Told with humor, honesty and hard-won wisdom, and packed with exclusive pictures, In the Pleasure Groove is a fascinating, irresistible portrait of a man who danced into the fire... and came through the other side.

Non-fiction is not my usual thing, but I'll make an exception in this case. As a teen during the 80s, I was in lust with Duran Duran, especially John Taylor... *sigh*

Good times. :-)

Waiting On Wednesday Hosted By:

Breaking the Spine

Sunday Post + Mailbox Monday

SUNDAY POST is hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It's "a post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead."

The September host of MAILBOX MONDAY is BookNAround. It's "a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists."

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I didn't do much blog-wise last week. I posted one review for UNSAFE HAVEN by Char Chaffin and participated in Waiting On Wednesday.

Instead of blogging, I had a garage sale (for extra book money!) and put out some Halloween decorations. I found these cute felt stickers for pumpkins at Hobby Lobby:

New arrivals this week:

• (Bought) Lady of the English by Elizabeth Chadwick
• (Bought) To Defy a King by Elizabeth Chadwick
• (Bought) The Last Boyfriend by Nora Roberts
• (Won) The Book of Madness and Cures by Regina O'Melveny

Happy Fall!

Waiting On Wednesday: LADY OF ASHES by Christine Trent

By Christine Trent

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In 1861 London, Violet Morgan is struggling to establish a good reputation for the undertaking business that her husband has largely abandoned. She provides comfort for the grieving, advises them on funeral fashion and etiquette, and arranges funerals.

Unbeknownst to his wife, Graham, who has nursed a hatred of America since his grandfather soldiered for Great Britain in the War of 1812, becomes involved in a scheme to sell arms to the South. Meanwhile, Violet receives the commission of a lifetime: undertaking the funeral for a friend of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. But her position remains precarious, especially when Graham disappears and she begins investigating a series of deaths among the poor. And the closer she gets to the truth, the greater the danger for them both…

Release Date: February 26, 2013

I don't know what I love more - the blurb or the cover. Someone fast-forward me to the release date, because I can't wait!

Waiting On Wednesday Hosted By:

Breaking the Spine

Review: UNSAFE HAVEN by Char Chaffin

UNSAFE HAVEN

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For Kendall Martin, a small, remote village in Southwest Alaska seems like a good place to start over. On the run from an abusive relationship, she leaves everything familiar behind and begins a new life as owner of a small souvenir and sportsman trading post in picturesque Staamat.

Denn Nulo knows everyone in town: he’s the Chief of Police in Staamat. He’s lived there all his life, except for his college years, spent in Anchorage. Originally planning on practicing criminal law and living in Anchorage permanently, Denn is forced to change his plans when he receives word that his widowed mother has passed away, leaving his young sister, Luna, alone. Denn comes back to Staamat to care for Luna.

When Kendall meets Denn, she begins to believe there are truly good men in the world. Denn is everything she wants: strong, loving, dedicated to family, protective...and patient. There is instant attraction between them, but Kendall is leery of men, and Denn craves a serious relationship that includes marriage and children. Their courtship is a conflicting mix of hesitancy and passion, with Luna, desperately needing a mother figure in her life, cheering them on.

As Kendall learns how to trust again and her romance with Denn grows more intense, a local woman who’s had her eye on Denn for years releases a torrent of damaging jealousy...and the nightmare from Kendall’s past discovers where she’s hidden herself.

Originally posted as part of the UNSAFE HAVEN blog tour @ Novel Reflections:

This book grabbed me from the first page! When you’re on the run from an abusive sociopath of an ex-fiance, even a tiny, remote Alaskan village isn’t a safe place to hide.

At least, that’s what the heroine of UNSAFE HAVEN discovers after moving to Staamat, and this place is the definition of remote. Newcomers have to be flown in, because the roads around the town only go so far, and then they just – stop.

UNSAFE HAVEN was part suspense/thriller and part romance. It was a well-written story about two people with their own emotional scars and burdens coming together to find love, even with others set on keeping them apart. Kendall and Denn are realistic, multi-dimensional characters with perfect chemistry. All of the characters in this book popped off the pages, especially Kendall’s ex-fiance Roy. He’s one of the most loathsome villains I’ve read in a long time. Yikes!

UNSAFE HAVEN was a gripping story set in the perfect location. I’m partial to stories set in Alaska, and the author’s rich descriptions of the life and land there added to my enjoyment of the the story. If you’re a fan of romantic suspense novels with truly touching romances, then don’t miss UNSAFE HAVEN.

Review copy courtesy of Book & Trailer Showcase Virtual Tours.

Sunday Post + Mailbox Monday

SUNDAY POST is hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It's "a post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead."

The September host of MAILBOX MONDAY is BookNAround. It's "a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists."

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Recap! Here's what happened last week:

Sunday: I posted a review of TEMPTATION IN A KILT by Victoria Roberts.

Monday: We interviewed Debra Webb @ Novel Reflections. (We're still taking entries for the super-duper "Fall in Love with Forever" giveaway through Monday, 9/17/2012.)

I also posted a review of IRISH ICE by Emly Forrest. 

Wednesday: I featured WHERE ANGELS REST by Kate Brady on my Waiting on Wednesday post.

Thursday: The AUDREY'S GUIDE TO WITCHCRAFT blog tour! I reviewed the book and featured an excerpt.

I also participated in Booking Through Thursday. The question was about organizing books.

Saturday: I participated in Saturday Snapshot. My photo was the bell tower of a beautiful church in Arkansas.

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New arrivals this week:

(Bought) The Reckoning by Jana DeLeon
(Review) Deadly Patterns by Melissa Bourbon
(Review) If Mashed Potatoes Could Dance by Paige Shelton

Question: What's your favorite way to follow blogs? Blogger dashboard? Google reader? Other? What are your thoughts on "Linky Followers?"

I have the blogs I follow split up four ways.

• The ones I absolutely must read everyday I follow with Bloglovin.
• Blogger book blogs I follow by GFC (Blogger Dashboard).
• Wordpress and other book blogs I follow by Wordpress reader.
• Artsy, crafty, and witchy blogs I follow by RSS in Google Reader.

What about you?

Have a great week!

Review: AUDREY'S GUIDE TO WITCHCRAFT by Jody Gehrman

Jody Gehrman

Author's Website
Goodreads | LibraryThing

Falling in Love, baking a magical cake, fighting an evil necromancer - it’s all in a day’s work for Audrey Oliver, seventeen-year-old witch-in-training.

When her mother goes missing and her twenty-one-year-old witchy cousin shows up out of the blue, Audrey knows something’s gone horribly, dangerously wrong. Now it’s up to her to get her own magical powers up to speed before everyone she loves is destroyed by the sorcerer intricately connected to her mother’s secret past.

Originally posted as part of the AUDREY'S GUIDE TO WITCHCRAFT blog tour @ Novel Reflections.

I’m not a YA reader, but when I saw this book pop up around the blogosphere, I was intrigued. The blurb sounded good (I love witchy books) and the cover is gorgeous! I’m glad I took a chance on Audrey’s Guide to Witchcraft, because I really enjoyed it.

Audrey was a great character. It’s been a few years since I was 17, but I found myself realting to Audrey easily. She’s a bit socially awkward, would rather study chemistry or bake a cake than party, and she’s fiercely protective of her friends and family. Audrey’s trouble begins when her mother goes missing and a “cousin” named Sadie shows up at her door. Sadie claims she was sent to watch over Audrey and her younger sister Meg while her mom takes care of a family emergency, but Audrey’s not buying it.

When Audrey causes some unexplained events to happen, Sadie decides to let her in on a little family secret: She’s a witch, just like her missing mom, and the family emergency is magical in nature. When Audrey learns that her mom’s mission is defeating a dangerous necromancer, she insists that Sadie teaches her Witchcraft 101 so she can help.

I liked both the story and characters in this book. It was funny at times and dark in places too. The pacing was steady throughout, though it got pretty suspenseful at the end. I think I would have liked more build up of the villain earlier in the book, because we don’t learn much about his plans until the last quarter of the book or so.

There’s also a budding sweet romance between Audrey and a hot college-age guy named Julian. It’s clear that Audrey and Julian have a special connection, but we don’t know what it is – yet. This is the first book in the Audrey’s Guide series, and I’m excited to see what happens next!

(A few yummy recipes and witchy spells are included in the story. Fun!)

Waiting On Wednesday: WHERE ANGELS REST (Plus a Giveaway @ Novel Reflections!)

By Kate Brady

 

A RACE FOR SALVATION

For the past decade, psychologist Erin Sims has been helping victims of violent crimes move on with life...but the one person she can't save is the one who matters most. In only seven days, her brother will be executed for a murder he didn't commit. Convinced she knows the identity of the real killer, Erin is determined to find the man and bring him to justice.

A COUNTDOWN TO DESTRUCTION

Sheriff Nick Mann moved to rural Ohio hoping to forget the tragedies of his past. When Erin shows up in town, bringing scandal and unwanted media attention with her, Nick knows she's trouble. No one believes sleepy Hopewell could harbor a serial killer...until residents begin to disappear. Now as Nick untangles the dark secrets plaguing his town, he can't help falling for the beautiful woman with the warm heart and iron will. And, as the days tick by, the truth becomes clear: Erin is hunting a vicious murderer-one whose only escape is to silence her forever.

This is the first book in a new romantic suspense series (Mann Family) coming out in November. The blurb sounds great, but what first caught my eye was the cover - reminds me of the Graveyard Queen series (which was awesome!).

Psst! Giveaway alert! Over at Novel Reflections, we're hosting a giveaway (US only) of this book plus FIVE other upcoming fall titles from Forever (ends 9/17/2012). For more details and to enter, visit the contest post at this link: http://novelreflections.net/interview-with-debra-webb-author-of-power-plus-a-fall-in-love-with-forever-6-book-giveaway-foreverromance

Waiting On Wednesday hosted by:

Breaking the Spine

Review: IRISH ICE by Emly Forrest

IRISH ICE

Danger and romance ignite when Irish Eyes turn into Irish Ice.

A killer is on the loose in Boston with possible IRA connections and ties to murders in London. When Jessica Grandville lands in Beantown for business, she's charmed by Colin Keane, a much younger and sexy Northern Irishman.

As Jessica and Colin's brief liaison develops into the start of a serious relationship, she begins to suspect there is more to him than meets the eye. Dragged into a web of danger and intrigue, she believes Colin is directly involved in the murders. And although attracted to his warmth and wit, she fears his fierce temper.

Jessica must decide if she’s willing to sacrifice her comfortable, yet dull, existence to pursue a relationship with the man whose loving eyes can turn in an instant into Irish ice.

Yesterday's review featured a tempting Scotsman, and today we have an equally tempting Irishman.

IRISH ICE is a short and sexy read from Lyrical Press' Irish Stories Collection (ePub format = 53 pages). The story is about a young widow named Jessica who travels to Boston on business, and she falls under the spell of a mysterious and seductive man from Belfast.

It's lust at first sight between Jessica and Colin, but Colin's continued secretiveness troubles her, especially since the police drawing of a wanted murderer looks a little too much like Colin. But, he's a gorgeous younger man who makes her feel alive again. Hmm...what's a girl to do?

Though short in length, the story was well-written with a fast-paced plot and relatable characters, especially Jessica. I can certainly understand how she fell fast for a charming bad boy like Colin. 

IRISH ICE is an enjoyable "quickie." :)

Review: TEMPTATION IN A KILT (Bad Boys of the Highlands, #1) by Victoria Roberts

TEMPTATION IN A KILT

She’s on her way to safety...

It’s a sign of Lady Rosalia Armstrong’s desperation that she’s seeking refuge in a place as rugged and challenging as the Scottish Highlands. She doesn’t care about hardship and discomfort, if only she can become master of her own life. Laird Ciaran MacGregor, however, is completely beyond her control.

He redefines dangerous...

Ciaran MacGregor knows it’s perilous to get embroiled with a fiery Lowland lass, especially one as headstrong as Rosalia. Having made a rash promise to escort her all the way to Glengarry, now he’s stuck with her, even though she challenges his legendary prowess at every opportunity. When temptation reaches its peak, he’ll be ready to show her who he really is...on and off the battlefield.

Highlander romances are my favorite go-to comfort read, and this one fits the bill nicely. TEMPTATION IN A KILT is the story of Rosalia, a lady in distress, and Ciaran, the Highland laird who comes to her rescue.

Rosalia is on the run from her abusive family. Broke and desperate, her parents want to marry her off to a dreadful man for their own financial gain. Rosalia has had a lifetime of misery and refuses to take it any longer, so she flees to the Highlands in search of her paternal grandmother's home in Glengarry. Of course, trouble finds her along the way, and luckily Laird Ciaran MacGregor and his men come to her aid. Ciaran knows it's foolish for anyone to travel as far north as Glengarry in late fall, so he convinces Rosalia to stay at his home until it is safe for him to escort her himself. 

During her stay at MacGregor Castle in Glenorchy, Rosalia's attraction to Ciaran grows, and she believes he feels the same for her, but there are circumstances working against them.  A mistress with a grudge, a troublesome enemy clan and a vow Ciaran made to his dying father threaten to keep them apart.

Though the pacing was slow in spots and there were no big surprises in the plot, there was plenty that kept me hanging on. The chemistry between Rosalia and Ciaran was strong. They were both determined - no, more like stubborn, yet below the surface you could tell they were meant for each other. The secondary characters added flavor to the story, especially Ciaran's wayward brother Declan. (His book is next with X Marks the Scot.) The rich descriptions of the Highlands were lovely too.

TEMPTATION IN A KILT is a promising start to the Bad Boys of the Highlands series, and a fun escape for fans of sweet (almost clean) Scottish romances.

Review copy courtesy of NetGalley.

Review: SELKIE DREAMS by Kristin Gleeson

SELKIE DREAMS

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Belfast, 1895.  Haunted by her mother’s death, Máire McNair is lured by the selkie myth to the promise of the Alaskan wilds to fulfil her dream of finding acceptance.

The censorious Mrs. Paxson, the wife of the trading post manager, constantly finds fault with Máire’s efforts to instruct the native children. She has her own plans and Máire is in the way.  Will Máire be able to forge her own way and make a success of her teaching?  And what should she do about the handsome yet moody Lieutenant Green who is aggressively courting her?

Natsilane is the Tlingit erstwhile mission protégé.  Troubled and disaffected, he finds himself battling Máire’s naive views and prejudices as he seeks to regain his own cultural identity by resuming a traditional lifestyle that draws from the Tlingit myth.  But he cannot escape his past with the mission, nor can he or Máire escape the mutual attraction they feel. In a world that permits no rule breakers, will the power of myths trump all?

I've read several books lately that have left me with mixed feelings, and SELKIE DREAMS is one of them. Overall, I thought this was a well-written story set in a unique time and place. The protagonist is Máire is a lost soul desperate to escape a bad situation in her life. She grew up in Belfast without a mother, raised instead by a cold and distant father. The family cook told her stories about her mother being a selkie, returning to the sea shortly after Máire was born. It's because of these tales that she felt a spiritual bond with seals.  After learning about the seals living along the coast of Alaska, she feels drawn to this wild, far away place.  Máire takes a job in Alaska as a teacher in the Tlingit Mission.

It's clear that the author did her homework on native Alaskans and the work of missionaries in the late 1800s. I felt like it was a realistic portrayal of both sides. Neither group was romanticized or vilified. It was interesting to read about the struggles of the Tlingit people as they tried to learn about Christianity and the ways of the white people, while trying to hold on to their traditional customs. I still can't get over the arrogance of missionaries in changing the names of Tlingit children to Christian names. Even Máire's own name was deemed inappropriate, and it was changed to something more "proper" for mission work.

I loved Máire's character.  She embraced the Tlingit people and was drawn to their way of life.  You could see her discovering her true self and finding a place to belong as the months went by.

Even though the story moved at a slow pace for most of the book, I still enjoyed it - until the last page! The ending was, I don't know.  I didn't like it.  It was abrupt and incomplete, and left me feeling confused.  I read and reread the last page six times, and I'm still shaking my head.  Now, I've read many other reviews of this book, and I think only one other person mentioned the ending, so maybe it's just me!

So, if I can eventually make sense of and peace with the conclusion, I would recommend SELKIE DREAMS to historical fiction buffs interested in Celtic myths, Native Americans and colonization in Alaska.  Thank you to Knox Robinson Publishing for providing me with a review copy of this book.  

Sunday Post + Mailbox Monday

SUNDAY POST is hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It's "a post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead."

The September host of MAILBOX MONDAY is BookNAround. It's "a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists."

oOoOoOo

Recap! Here's what happened last week:

Not much in the way of reviews last week. I had one planned, but ended up not finishing the book. I realized that I have trouble getting into books that don't have a strong female presence. Anyone else? Ah, well. That wasn't the author's fault.

Monday: At Novel Reflections, we interviewed Robyn Thomas.

Tuesday: Top Off Tuesday on Tumblr! (I figured out how to add comments to my Tumblr blog after this posted. LOL.)

Wednesday: At Novel Reflections, we interviewed Candace Havens.

Thursday: The Romancing the Hop blog hop started! So far, I've visited about 100 participating blogs, and I have almost as many left to go. All the CAPTCHA is driving me a little bonkers though. LOL.

Saturday: I tumbled some bookish pictures, including one of my first Nook wearing her Gustav Klimt gelaskin. :-)

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New arrivals this week:

Incarnation by Emma Cornwall - This beauty was a surprise from the publisher. Dracula's Lucy Weston is the main character. I'm intrigued!

Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft - For review, upcoming blog tour. I know, I know. I don't read YA, and this is YA. But, it's Audrey's guide to witchcraft!! I can't pass that up! I love all things witchy.

Unsafe Haven by Char Chaffin - For review, upcoming blog tour. The blurb had me at "small, remote village in Southwestern Alaska."

The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley - Special $1.99 eBook deal last week.

The Edge of the Earth by Molly Joseph - *fangirl squee*

The Secret Night by Rebecca York - This book completes my collection of the Harlequin Eclipse series from a few years ago. Gothic romance! Click HERE for a list of all the books in the series.

Have a great week!